plea

(plē)

1. An earnest request; an appeal: spoke out in a plea for greater tolerance.
2. An excuse; a pretext: “necessity,/The Tyrant's plea” (John Milton).
3. Law
   a. An allegation offered in pleading a case.
   b. A defendant's answer to the declaration made by the plaintiff in a civil action.
   c. The answer of the accused to a criminal charge or indictment: entered a plea of not guilty.
   d. A special answer depending on or demonstrating one or more reasons why a suit should be delayed, dismissed, or barred in equity law.
   e. An action or suit.