special pleading

American

noun

Law. pleading that alleges special or new matter in avoidance of the allegations made by the opposite side.
pleading or arguing that ignores unfavorable features of a case.

special pleading British

noun

a pleading that alleges new facts that offset those put forward by the other side rather than directly admitting or denying those facts
a pleading that emphasizes the favourable aspects of a case while omitting the unfavourable

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of special pleading

First recorded in 1675–85

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Special pleading It's not hard to see why the Roosevelt administration took this view.

From The Guardian • Oct. 11, 2010

Special pleading, working for a verdict, etc., etc.

From The Posthumous Works of Thomas De Quincey, Vol. 1 by Japp, Alexander H. (Alexander Hay)

Special pleading never flourished much in the West.

From Minnesota and Dacotah by Andrews, C. C. (Christopher Columbus)

Special pleading, 11 17 17 Śruti, 3 7 9 Stolen property, monarch to restore, 19 36 ...

From Hindu Law and Judicature from the Dharma-Sástra of Yájnavalkya by Edward Röer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023