plead

Where does the word "plead" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin placitum, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Plead’s story begins in Medieval Latin: placitum meant “decision, decree.” From 'placere', to please: that which pleases the court. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as plaidier. The root of 'plea'. It reached English by 1200s as plead. 'plead guilty' is recorded from the 1400s. Today, plead means to make an emotional appeal; to answer a charge in court.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval placitum "decision, decree", from 'placere', to please: that which pleases the court.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval plaidier "to go to law", the root of 'plea'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s plead "to argue in court", 'plead guilty' is recorded from the 1400s.