Pronunciation: [plˈiːdɪd] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "pleaded" is sometimes confused with "pled." However, the correct spelling is "pleaded" in American English. The phonetic transcription of "pleaded" is /pliːdɪd/ with emphasis on the first syllable "plee" and a short "i" sound in the second syllable "did." It is a past tense and past participle of the verb "plead," which means to make a heartfelt appeal or to enter a legal defense.
Pleaded is the past tense and past participle form of the verb "plead." It is commonly used in legal, formal, or official contexts to describe the act of making an earnest appeal or request, usually for mercy or understanding, typically in response to a legal charge or accusation.
As a legal term, pleaded refers to the formal declaration or answer made by a defendant in court in which they either admit guilt, deny the charges, or provide a defense. It signifies the act of presenting arguments or reasons in an effort to persuade the court or jury of one's innocence or to mitigate the severity of a penalty or punishment.
Beyond its legal implications, pleaded can also be used in a broader sense to describe fervently urging or imploring someone to do something or to change their opinion. It conveys a strong sense of emotional plea or supplication, often accompanied by a desire for leniency, forgiveness, or understanding.
In summary, pleaded denotes the act of making a sincere and impassioned request, particularly in a legal or formal context, whether it be presenting a defense in court, seeking clemency, or appealing for understanding.
Offered or urged in defence; alleged in proof.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "pleaded" is derived from the Old French term "plaidier", which means "to argue in court". This Old French verb is derived from the noun "plaid", meaning "lawsuit" or "legal pleading". The term "plaid" itself is derived from the Latin word "placitum", which means "to be agreeable or to please". Over time, "plaidier" evolved into the Middle English term "pleden", which eventually transformed into "pleaded" in Modern English.
