That which is alleged or pleaded, in defense or in justification.
The defendant’s answer to the plaintiff’s declaration and demand.
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.
To plead; to argue.
A false, contrived, or assumed purpose or reason; a pretense.
To employ a pretext, which involves using a false or contrived purpose for soliciting the gain of something else.