An Encylopedia Britannica Company

plead

plead /ˈpliːd/ verb
pleads; pleaded /ˈpliːdəd/ or pled /ˈplɛd/; pleading
plead
/ˈpliːd/
verb
pleads; pleaded /ˈpliːdəd/ or pled /ˈplɛd/; pleading
Britannica Dictionary definition of PLEAD
[no object] : to ask for something in a serious and emotional way
often + for
often + with
[+ object] : to try to prove (a case) in a court of law
[no object] : to say in court that you are either guilty or not guilty of a crime : to make a plea
[+ object] : to give (something) as a reason or excuse for something
: to argue in support of (a cause)
[+ object]
[no object]

plead the Fifth

see 1fifth