Etymology Map
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Plead

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means to make an emotional appeal; to answer a charge in court

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

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

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.