Every man should plead his own matter. --Sir T.
More.
Note: In this sense, argue is more generally used by lawyers.
2. To allege or cite in a legal plea or defense, or for
repelling a demand in law; to answer to an indictment; as,
to plead usury; to plead statute of limitations; to plead
not guilty. --Kent.
3. To allege or adduce in proof, support, or vendication; to
offer in excuse; as, the law of nations may be pleaded in
favor of the rights of ambassadors. --Spenser.
I will neither plead my age nor sickness, in excuse
of faults. --Dryden.
O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man
pleadeth for his neighbor! --Job xvi. 21.
2. (Law) To present an answer, by allegation of fact, to the
declaration of a plaintiff; to deny the plaintiff's
declaration and demand, or to allege facts which show that
ought not to recover in the suit; in a less strict sense,
to make an allegation of fact in a cause; to carry on the
allegations of the respective parties in a cause; to carry
on a suit or plea. --Blackstone. Burrill. Stephen.
3. To contend; to struggle. [Obs.] --Chaucer.