Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

plead

/pliːd/ verb

Latin root: placitum Wiktionary

verb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about plead at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Appeal or request earnestly.
I pleaded with him to stop
Offer as an excuse or plea.
She was pleading insanity
Enter a plea, as in courts of law.
She pleaded not guilty

Origin

From Middle English pleden, plaiden, from Old French plaider (“to plead, offer a plea”), from plait, from Medieval Latin placitum (“a decree, sentence, suit, plea, etc.", in Classical Latin, "an opinion, determination, prescription, order; literally, that which is pleasing, pleasure”), neuter of placitus, past participle of placeō (“to please”). Cognate with Spanish pleitear (“to litigate, take to court”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word