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playschool
playsuit
plaything
playtime
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plaza
PLC
plea
plea-bargaining
pleach
plead
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pleasant
Pleasant Island
pleasantry
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plea

plea [ plee ] (plural pleas)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. urgent request: an urgent, often emotional, request
a plea for understanding

2. law defendant's answer to charge: the defendant's answer to a charge in a court of law, especially one stating that he or she is guilty or not guilty

3. law statement of defendant's or claimant's case: a statement or argument made in a court of law in support of a defendant's or claimant's case

4. excuse: an excuse or pretext
He managed to extricate himself on the plea of extreme pressure of work.

[13th century. < Anglo-Norman plai "lawsuit, agreement," variant of Old French plaid< Latin placitum "decree" < past participle of placere "please"]
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