Plea: meaning, definitions and examples

🙏

Add to dictionary

plea

[ pliː ]

^{Context #1}

legal term

A formal statement by a defendant, stating the reasons for their actions or pleading guilty or not guilty in a criminal case.

Synonyms

assertion, declaration, statement

Examples of usage

The defendant entered a plea of not guilty.
The plea bargain was accepted by the court.

^{Context #2}

emotional appeal

An earnest request or entreaty; a heartfelt appeal.

Synonyms

appeal, petition, request

Examples of usage

She made a plea for help.
Their pleas for forgiveness fell on deaf ears.

^{Context #3}

begging

To make an emotional appeal or request earnestly.

Synonyms

beg, beseech, implore

Examples of usage

He pleaded with her to forgive him.
The dog looked at him pleadingly for a treat.

Translations

Translations of the word "plea" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pedido

🇮🇳 निवेदन

🇩🇪 Bitte

🇮🇩 permohonan

🇺🇦 прохання

🇵🇱 prośba

🇯🇵 嘆願

🇫🇷 requête

🇪🇸 petición

🇹🇷 rica

🇰🇷 간청

🇸🇦 طلب

🇨🇿 prosba

🇸🇰 žiadosť

🇨🇳 请求

🇸🇮 prošnja

🇮🇸 bæn

🇰🇿 өтініш

🇬🇪 თხოვნა

🇦🇿 xahiş

🇲🇽 petición

Word origin

The word 'plea' originated from the Middle English word 'plee', which came from the Anglo-French 'pleit', meaning 'lawsuit'. The term evolved over time to refer to a formal statement in legal contexts or an emotional appeal in general usage.