Plea, 1) that which is alledged by a party in support of a demand: “no rightful p. might plead for justice there,” Lucr. 1649. “the defendant doth that p. deny,” Sonn. 46, 7. “what p. so tainted and corrupt but, being seasoned with a gracious voice, obscures the show of evil?” Merch. III, 2, 75. “that is my brother's p.” John I, 67.
2) that which is demanded in court or by any kind of pleading: “the p. of no less weight than Aquitaine,” LLL II, 7. “none can drive him from the envious p. of forfeiture, of justice and his bond,” Merch. III, 2, 284. “though justice be thy p., consider this,” IV, 1, 198. “to mitigate the justice of thy p., which if thou follow . . . .,” IV, 1, 198
3) a law-suit: “and 'gainst myself a lawful p. commence,” Sonn. 35, 11. “how with this rage shall beauty hold a p., whose action is no stronger than a flower?” 65, 3.
Shakespeare Lexicon. Alexander Schmidt. Berlin. Georg Reimer. 1902.
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