plea noun
1 request
ADJ. desperate, dramatic, strong, urgent | heartfelt, impassioned, passionate | repeated | personal
VERB + PLEA make | ignore
PREP. despite a/the ~, in spite of a/the ~ Despite pleas from his mother, the gunman refused to give himself up. | ~ by/from Hospital visiting hours were extended in response to pleas from patients. | ~ for The director of the charity made an impassioned plea for help.
2 statement in court
ADJ. guilty | not guilty
VERB + PLEA enter | hear | change | accept, sustain The prosecution accepted a plea of manslaughter. | support | reject
PLEA + NOUN bargain, bargaining
PREP. ~ for A senior judge heard a plea for damages on behalf of the accident victims. | ~ of Her solicitor entered a plea of guilty on her behalf.