plea

Everyday

1. A strong, emotional request for something: "a plea for help". tree →
2. (law) What a person says in court when accused of a crime: "guilty" or "not guilty". tree →
3. An excuse or reason given: "on the plea that he was ill". tree →

In the lessons

In stories and news, a plea for help, peace or money shows someone in need. In law lessons and courtroom stories, the accused enters a plea of guilty or not guilty; a "plea bargain" (US) is a deal for a shorter sentence. Phrases: a plea for help, make a plea, enter a plea.

Examples

• The charity made a plea for warm blankets. tree →
• The puppy's eyes were a silent plea for food. tree →
• He entered a plea of not guilty. tree →
• The family made a plea for their lost cat to be found. tree →
• Her plea for more time was accepted. tree →
• The police issued a plea for witnesses. tree →
• That this was the usual procedure was so well known to Hook that in disregarding it he cannot be excused on the plea of ignorance. tree →

Note

Countable: a plea, pleas. Verb: plead (pleaded; in US also pled). Do not confuse with "please" or "plee" (no such word).

In Jewish tradition

In stories and news, a plea for help, peace or money shows someone in need. In law lessons and courtroom stories, the accused enters a plea of guilty or not guilty; a "plea bargain" (US) is a deal for a shorter sentence. Phrases: a plea for help, make a plea, enter a plea.

Note

Countable: a plea, pleas. Verb: plead (pleaded; in US also pled). Do not confuse with "please" or "plee" (no such word).