From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Plead \Plead\, verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Pleaded} (colloq. {Plead}or {Pled}); p. pr. & vb. n. {Pleading}.] [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) 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.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Pled \Pled\, imp. & p. p. of {Plead} [Colloq.] --Spenser.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
plead
verb
1: appeal or request earnestly; "I pleaded with him to stop"
2: offer as an excuse or plea; "She was pleading insanity"
3: enter a plea, as in courts of law; "She pleaded not guilty"
4: make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding, especially answer the previous pleading of the other party by denying facts therein stated or by alleging new facts [also: {pled}]
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
pled See {plead}
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