plea English · revision 15195

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1250|origins=la placeō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /pliː/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|ple]], [[bor|xno|plai]] and [[fro|plait]], [[m|fro|plaid|t=agreement, lawsuit, decree]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from [[la-med|placitum|t=lawsuit, court day]], in classical Latin “opinion, decree”, literally “that which pleases”,^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) the neuter past participle of [[la|placeō|t=to please]] (see [[please]]).^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A suit or action at law: before 1250 in the OED, the early 13th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Barnhart's first example, about 1250 in The Owl and the Nightingale, means strife, contention or complaint.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A prisoner's formal answer to a charge is recorded from 1337,^(OED 1989) and a pleading or argument put before a court from about 1381.^(OED 1989) Hoad dates the sense “that which is pleaded” to the 15th century.^(Hoad 1986) Phrases such as ''to hold pleas'', to try actions at law, are from 1477,^(OED 1989) and the US slang ''to cop a plea'', to plead guilty to a lesser charge, from 1927.^(OED 1989) The everyday sense today is an earnest request or appeal.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1250 – a lawsuit.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1337 – a prisoner's answer to a charge.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1381 – a pleading in court.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1699 – special plea (law).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1927 – to cop a plea (US slang).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An earnest request; an [[appeal]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An [[excuse]] or [[pretext]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(law)'' The answer of an accused person to a criminal charge, as ''a plea of guilty''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(law)'' Something alleged by a party to legal proceedings in support of a claim or defence.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(law, Scotland and formerly England)'' A [[lawsuit]].^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[counterplea]]

+ * [[plea-bargain]]

+ * [[Alford plea]]

+ * [[plea bargaining]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[plead]]

+ * [[pleasant]]

+ * [[please]]

+ * [[pleasurable]]

+ * [[pleasure]]

+ * [[placid]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}