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special pleading definition

special pleading

  1. Law a pleading which is more than a mere denial of the charges or allegations, as one introducing new matter justifying an otherwise culpable act
  2. an argument or presentation that leaves out what is unfavorable and develops only what is favorable to the case

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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