noun
plea
plee
noun
1
An urgent, heartfelt request.
"She made a tearful plea for donations to the shelter."
"His plea for forgiveness went unanswered."
2
Law: a formal statement by a defendant responding to a charge.
"The defendant entered a plea of not guilty."
How to Use Plea
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA heartfelt appeal, or, in a courtroom, a defendant's formal answer to a charge.
Common pairings
enter a plea
plea for help
plea bargain
Word Forms
pleaed past tense, pleas plural, pleas singular
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She made a tearful _____ for donations to the shelter.
Etymology
From Old French plait/plaid, from Medieval Latin placitum ("a decree" or "that which pleases"). Related to please and pleasure.