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plaider

plead, argue (a case)

verb pleh-DEH Less Common

Also means

advocate for

Usage Note

Plaider is the standard legal term for arguing a case in court (plaider coupable = 'to plead guilty'; plaider non coupable = 'to plead not guilty'). Outside law, it means to argue in favour of something (plaider pour une réforme). The agent noun is plaideur / plaideuse and the noun plaidoirie is the courtroom speech.

Examples

"L'avocat a plaidé l'innocence de son client."

Natural Translation

The lawyer pleaded his client's innocence.

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