From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Plead \Plead\, v. t.
1. To discuss, defend, and attempt to maintain by arguments
or reasons presented to a tribunal or person having
uthority to determine; to argue at the bar; as, to plead a
cause before a court or jury.
[1913 Webster]
Every man should plead his own matter. --Sir T.
More.
[1913 Webster]
Note: In this sense, argue is more generally used by lawyers.
[1913 Webster]
2. To allege or cite in a legal plea or defense, or for
repelling a demand in law; to answer to an indictment; as,
to plead usury; to plead statute of limitations; to plead
not guilty. --Kent.
[1913 Webster]
3. To allege or adduce in proof, support, or vendication; to
offer in excuse; as, the law of nations may be pleaded in
favor of the rights of ambassadors. --Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
I will neither plead my age nor sickness, in excuse
of faults. --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Plead \Plead\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pleaded (colloq. Pleador
Pled); p. pr. & vb. n. Pleading.] [OE. pleden, plaiden,
OF. plaidier, F. plaider, fr. LL. placitare, fr. placitum.
See Plea.]
1. To argue in support of a claim, or in defense against the
claim of another; to urge reasons for or against a thing;
to attempt to persuade one by argument or supplication; to
speak by way of persuasion; as, to plead for the life of a
criminal; to plead with a judge or with a father.
[1913 Webster]
O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man
pleadeth for his neighbor! --Job xvi. 21.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Law) To present an answer, by allegation of fact, to the
declaration of a plaintiff; to deny the plaintiff's
declaration and demand, or to allege facts which show that
ought not to recover in the suit; in a less strict sense,
to make an allegation of fact in a cause; to carry on the
allegations of the respective parties in a cause; to carry
on a suit or plea. --Blackstone. Burrill. Stephen.
[1913 Webster]
3. To contend; to struggle. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Plead \Plead\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pleaded (colloq. Pleador
Pled); p. pr. & vb. n. Pleading.] [OE. pleden, plaiden,
OF. plaidier, F. plaider, fr. LL. placitare, fr. placitum.
See Plea.]
1. To argue in support of a claim, or in defense against the
claim of another; to urge reasons for or against a thing;
to attempt to persuade one by argument or supplication; to
speak by way of persuasion; as, to plead for the life of a
criminal; to plead with a judge or with a father.
[1913 Webster]
O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man
pleadeth for his neighbor! --Job xvi. 21.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Law) To present an answer, by allegation of fact, to the
declaration of a plaintiff; to deny the plaintiff's
declaration and demand, or to allege facts which show that
ought not to recover in the suit; in a less strict sense,
to make an allegation of fact in a cause; to carry on the
allegations of the respective parties in a cause; to carry
on a suit or plea. --Blackstone. Burrill. Stephen.
[1913 Webster]
3. To contend; to struggle. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]