Definition of "plead"

plead

/ˈpliːd/

verb
third-person singular simple present pleads, present participle pleading, simple past and past participle (North America, England, legal) pleaded or (North America, Scotland) pled or (North America) plead
1. (transitive, intransitive, copulative) To present (an argument or a plea), especially in a legal case.
  Quotations
  O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!
  1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], Job 16:21
  At the High Court in Aberdeen in September, NR pleaded guilty to a series of failings, including failing to tell the driver that it was unsafe to drive the train at the 75mph line speed.
  2023 October 18, “Network News: Carmont: NR pays nearly £1m in out-of-court settlements”, in RAIL, number 994, page 15
2. (intransitive) To beg, beseech, or implore, especially emotionally.
3. (transitive) To offer by way of excuse.
4. (transitive) To discuss by arguments.