Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - plea

 noun  Etymology: Middle English ple, plede, from Anglo-French plai, pleit from Medieval Latin placitum, from Latin, decision, decree, from neuter of placitus, past participle of placere to ~se, be decided — more at ~se  Date: 13th century  1. a legal suit or action  2. an allegation made by a party in support of a cause: as  a. an allegation of fact — compare demurrer  b.  (1) a defendant's answer to a plaintiff's declaration in common-law practice  (2) an accused person's answer to a charge or indictment in criminal practice  c. a ~ of guilty to an indictment  3. something offered by way of excuse or justification left early with the ~ of a headache  4. an earnest entreaty ; appeal their ~ for understanding must be answered  Synonyms: see apology