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# plead

verb (plead, pleads, pleaded (UK) or pled (US), pleading)

«plead» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To ask for something in a strong, emotional way; to beg. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/plead/#m1)
2. (law) To say in court whether you are guilty or not guilty. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/plead/#m2)
3. To give something as an excuse: «He pleaded a headache». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/plead/#m3)

### In the lessons

In stories characters plead for mercy; Toad pleads with Badger. In law, defendants «plead guilty» or «plead not guilty».

### Examples

- He pleaded with his mum for a puppy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/plead/#x1)
- (law) The man pleaded not guilty. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/plead/#x2)
- She pleaded for more time to finish. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/plead/#x3)
- Toad pleaded for mercy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/plead/#x4)
- He pleaded a headache to miss PE. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/plead/#x5)
- «Please let me go!» she pleaded. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/plead/#x6)
- "Please let me go," he pleaded. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/plead/#x7)

### Note

Past: pleaded (UK) or pled (US). Noun: plea.

## In Jewish tradition

To plead is to argue a case for someone, as before a judge. The Tanakh often says God will "plead" the cause of the poor or of Israel, and people ask God to plead theirs.

**Interpretation.** Tradition sees God as the judge and defender of the weak. The psalmist asks God to be his advocate against his enemies.

### Examples

- For their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their cause with thee. (Writings PRO.23.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/plead/#x1)
- The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the peoples. (Prophets ISA.3.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/plead/#x2)
- Plead Thou my cause, and redeem me; quicken me according to Thy word. (Writings PSA.119.154, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/plead/#x3)

### Note

Past: pleaded (UK) or pled (US). Noun: plea.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «plead» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/plead/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«plead» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/plead.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «plead» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/plead/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«plead» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/plead.html) on Mova free.