plead

verb4

1. •
   to beg for something with strong feeling

   • He pleaded with me not to leave the house.
   • He was pleading for mercy.
2. •
   To present (an argument or a plea), especially in a legal case.

   • The defendant has decided to plead not guilty.
3. •
   To discuss by arguments.
4. •
   To offer by way of excuse.

   • Not wishing to attend the banquet, I pleaded illness.
   • It is no defence to plead that you were only obeying orders.