PLEAD

plead, vb. 1. To make a specific plea, esp. in response to a criminal charge  <he pleaded not guilty>. [Cases: Criminal Law  267. C.J.S. Criminal Law § 375.] 2. To assert or allege in a pleading <fraud claims must be pleaded with particularity>. [Cases: Federal Civil Procedure  621; Pleading  1. C.J.S. Pleading §§ 2–3, 6–7, 593.] 3. To file or deliver a pleading <the plaintiff hasn’t pleaded yet>.

[Blacks Law 8th]