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.
Every man should plead his own matter.
Sir T. More. In this sense, argue is more generally used by lawyers.
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.
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.
I will neither plead my age nor sickness, in excuse of faults.
Dryden. Pleadable
(Plead"a*ble) a. Capable of being pleaded; capable of being alleged in proof, defense, or
vindication; as, a right or privilege pleadable at law. Dryden.
Pleader
(Plead"er) n. [F. plaideur.]
1. One who pleads; one who argues for or against; an advotate.
So fair a pleader any cause may gain.
Dryden. 2. (Law) One who draws up or forms pleas; the draughtsman of pleas or pleadings in the widest sense; as,
a special pleader.
Pleading
(Plead"ing), n. The act of advocating, defending, or supporting, a cause by arguments.
Pleadingly
(Plead"ing*ly), adv. In a pleading manner.
Pleadings
(Plead"ings) n. pl. (Law) The mutual pleas and replies of the plaintiff and defendant, or
written statements of the parties in support of their claims, proceeding from the declaration of the plaintiff,
until issue is joined, and the question made to rest on some single point. Blackstone.
Pleasance
(Pleas"ance) n. [F. plaisance. See Please.]
1. Pleasure; merriment; gayety; delight; kindness. [Archaic] Shak. "Full great pleasance." Chaucer. "A
realm of pleasance." Tennyson.
2. A secluded part of a garden. [Archaic]
The pleasances of old Elizabethan houses.
Ruskin. Pleasant
(Pleas"ant) a. [F. plaisant. See Please.]
1. Pleasing; grateful to the mind or to the senses; agreeable; as, a pleasant journey; pleasant weather.
Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Ps. cxxxiii. 1. 2. Cheerful; enlivening; gay; sprightly; humorous; sportive; as, pleasant company; a pleasant fellow.
From grave to light, from pleasant to serve.
Dryden. Syn. — Pleasing; gratifying; agreeable; cheerful; good- humored; enlivening; gay; lively; merry; sportive; humorous; jocose; amusing; witty.
— Pleasant, Pleasing, Agreeable. Agreeable is applied to that which agrees with, or is in harmony
with, one's tastes, character, etc. Pleasant and pleasing denote a stronger degree of the agreeable.
