demurrer vs plea

demurrer

noun
  • A motion by a party to an action, for the immediate or summary judgment of the court on the question, whether, assuming the truth of the matter alleged by the opposite party, it is sufficient in law to sustain the action or defense, and hence whether the party resting is bound to answer or proceed further. 

  • Someone who demurs. 

plea

noun
  • The defendant’s answer to the plaintiff’s declaration and demand. 

  • That which is alleged or pleaded, in defense or in justification. 

  • A cause in court; a lawsuit; as, the Court of Common Pleas. 

  • An appeal, petition, urgent prayer or entreaty. 

  • An allegation of fact in a cause, as distinguished from a demurrer. 

  • An excuse; an apology. 

  • That which is alleged by a party in support of his cause. 

verb
  • To plead; to argue. 

How often have the words demurrer and plea occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )