Definitions of plead:

• verb:   appeal or request earnestly

  Example: "I pleaded with him to stop"

• verb:   enter a plea, as in courts of law

  Example: "She pleaded not guilty"

• verb:   offer as an excuse or plea

  Example: "She was pleading insanity"

• verb:   make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding, especially answer the previous pleading of the other party by denying facts therein stated or by alleging new facts