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"plead" is also used as a crossword clue. If that's what you saw, the answer is often beg (3 letters).
Definitions
Ask earnestly, appeal, or make a legal answer.
Word origin
From Middle English pleden, plaiden, from Old French plaider (“to plead, offer a plea”), from plait, from Medieval Latin placitum (“a decree, sentence, suit, plea, etc.", in Classical Latin, "an opinion, determination, prescription, order; literally, that which is pleasing, pleasure”), neuter of placitus, past participle of placeō (“to please”). Cognate with Spanish pleitear (“to litigate, take to court”).
Used in a sentence
“The defendant has decided to plead not guilty.”
“O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!”
“At the High Court in Aberdeen in September, NR pleaded guilty to a series of failings, including failing to tell the driver that it was unsafe to drive the train at the 75mph line speed.”
Source: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0
Used as a crossword answer1 curated clues
01“Ask earnestly”5 letters
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