French word

plaider

Pronunciation

IPA/plede/

Meaning

  • verbplead

Example

L'avocat va plaider demain.

The lawyer will plead tomorrow.

Illustration for plaider (plead)

More examples

Elle va plaider son innocence devant le tribunal.

She is going to plead her innocence before the court.

Core concept

A lawyer presents a case as a structured appeal for the protection or acceptance of someone or something.

Common phrases

  • plaider devant le tribunal

    plead before the court

  • plaider en faveur de

    plead in favor of ___

  • plaider son innocence

    plead one's innocence

Similar words

défendre: Takes action to safeguard someone's rights or position.
soutenir: Gives support and assistance to a person or an idea.
justifier: Provides reasons to show that an action or opinion is justified.

Definition in French

Exposer des raisons pour réclamer le soutien d'autrui, notamment pour défendre une personne ou une position.

Word origin

Old French plaidier developed from plaid, ultimately from Latin placitum, and acquired its modern sense of arguing a case or cause.

Usage tips

  • The common pattern plaider pour introduces the person, cause, or position being defended, as in plaider pour une réforme.

Other meanings

  • argueverb
  • begverb

Opposites

Related words

  • plaidoyerpleadingnoun
  • plaidoirieoral argumentnoun

Word lists with this word