plea
Definition
Meaning: Plea means "a sincere and emotional request or appeal for help, mercy, or understanding." It is often used in legal contexts (e.g., a plea in court) or in personal appeals.
La signification : Plea signifie « supplique », « appel » ou « requête ». On l’utilise dans des contextes juridiques (comme un plaidoyer) ou pour exprimer une demande émotionnelle.
Example: "The defendant entered a plea of not guilty in court."
Grammar: The noun can be formal (legal plea) or informal (desperate plea).
Quote: "Each book I write is a shout into the silence and a prayer and a plea for change. [Jacqueline Woodson]
Word Analysis
French equivalents »» Supplique »» Plaidoyer »» Requête Ⓐ Son plaidoyer devant le juge était émouvant. Ⓑ Elle a fait une supplique pour obtenir de l'aide. English equivalents »» Appeal »» Request »» Entreaty Ⓐ The lawyer made a passionate plea for leniency. Ⓑ His desperate plea went unanswered.
Dialogue
Sarah: "Did you hear about the protest downtown?"
Mark: "Yes, they’re making a plea for climate action."
Sarah: "I hope the government listens this time."
Poem Excerpt
Killing
Chauvin kills the way my grandfather did, by choking
the last, stifled breath in a goat’s throat with his knee,
before gutting its neck with a knife,
in the evening of a sultry day in May, before dinner,
its bleats of I-can’t-breathe! caught in the gullet of its throat.
My grandfather’s knee was deaf to pleas—there was food
to put on the table.
Rethabile Masilo
Read the Full Poem
Etymology
Origin: From Middle English ple (“lawsuit, dispute”), borrowed from Old French plait (“agreement, discussion”) and Medieval Latin placitum (“decree, opinion”), from Latin placēre (“to please”). Originally tied to legal disputes, the meaning expanded to include emotional appeals.
Modern Usage: Common in legal, formal, and emotional contexts, often appearing in courtrooms, literature, and everyday requests for help.
Grammar Note: Plea is a noun; its plural is pleas. The verb form is plead (pleaded/pleaded... pleaded/pled: USA).
Audience
Plea is used in formal and informal settings, from courtroom jargon to heartfelt personal appeals.
When to use: Use this noun in legal contexts (e.g., "enter a plea") or to emphasize desperation (e.g., "a plea for mercy"). Example: “The activist’s plea for justice moved the crowd.”
Extra! Extra!
For a fun and engaging exploration of our word of the day, watch the following…Plead: Meaning, Examples, Definition
How to pronounce 'plea'
WordReference
For more on idiomatic usage, visit the WordReference Forums for discussions, translations, and examples of "soothe" in context.
Here are some quick links for further exploration:
» English⇄English – Discuss and learn about words and their usage.
» English⇄French – Explore translations and linguistic nuances.
» Synonyms⇄Antonyms – Contextual variations, etc.
Common Idioms & Expressions Related to "Plea"
Make a plea
To formally or emotionally request something, often urgently.
Example: "The activist made a passionate plea for climate action."
Plead ignorance
To claim unawareness as an excuse (often legal or defensive).
Example: "He pled ignorance about the company's illegal activities."
Plead the Fifth
To invoke the right to remain silent (U.S. legal context).
Example: "The witness chose to plead the Fifth to avoid self-incrimination."
Desperate plea
An urgent, often emotional appeal for help.
Example: "Her desperate plea for donations saved the animal shelter."
Plead one's case
To argue or present reasons in support of a request or position.
Example: "The lawyer pled his client's case before the jury."
Guilty/Not guilty plea
A formal declaration in court accepting or denying charges.
Example: "The defendant entered a not guilty plea at the arraignment."
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