plea

An earnest request; an appeal.

An excuse; a pretext.

The defendant’s answer to a formal criminal charge.

A defendant’s answer in a civil action.

A special answer in an equity action, setting forth in lieu of a detailed response a basis for dismissing, delaying, or barring the suit.

A legal proceeding.

In law: A suit or action; the presentation of a cause of action to the court.

In a general sense, that which is urged by or on behalf of a litigant, in support of his claim or defense; the contention of either party

Specifically, in modern practice: At common law, a document (or in some inferior courts an oral statement) on the defendant’s part, denying the allegations of the plaintiffs declaration, or alleging new matter (that is, matter not, shown by the plaintiff’s pleading) as cause why the action should not be maintained. In equity, a document alleging new matter as a cause why the defendant should not be required to answer the complainant’s bill