PLEADINGS
Noun
pleadings
plural of pleading
Anagrams
• delapsing, pedalings
Source: Wiktionary
Plead"ings, n. pl. (Law)
Definition: 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.
PLEADING
Plead"ing, n.
Definition: The act of advocating, defending, or supporting, a cause by
arguments.
PLEAD
Plead, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pleaded (colloq. Plead or Pled); p. pr. &
vb. n. Pleading.] Etym: [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.
O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his
neighbor! Job xvi. 21.
2. (Law)
Definition: 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.
3. To contend; to struggle. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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.
Every man should plead his own matter. Sir T. More.
Note: 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition