. _:b6346017 "(transitive) To offer by way of excuse."@en . . _:b6346017 . _:b6346019 "It is no defence to plead that you were only obeying orders."@en . . "3" . _:b6346018 "Not wishing to attend the banquet, I pleaded illness."@en . . _:b6346018 . _:b6346019 .