special plea

noun

, Law.

a plea that alleges special or new matter as an answer to the allegations made by the opposite side and not as a denial of them.

First recorded in 1710–20

The president issued a special plea from the White House to demand action to address the banks before the weekend was out.

Professor Woodberry has made a special plea in his Inspiration of Poetry for a return of poetry to poetic madness.

Even now their appeal to public sentiment is mainly a special plea for defensive purposes, and has little or no educational value.

The next alternative which the prisoners may adopt, is a special plea in bar.

The author would like to make a special plea for the playing together of adults and children.

He first pleaded not guilty, and then asked to withdraw this plea, and to file a special plea, which was granted.

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