counterplea

[koun-ter-plee]

noun

Law.

1. an answering plea, as a plaintiff's response to a defendant's plea.

Word History and Origins

Origin of counterplea¹

First recorded in 1555–65; counter- + plea

Example Sentences

This canon was adopted and explained by an English statute of 1276; and bigamy, therefore, became a usual counterplea to the claim of benefit of clergy.

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Those of their day, all counterpleas notwithstanding, resemble the ethics of the patriarchs, of that far antiquity which regarded marriage with a stranger as immoral, and allowed only of marriage amongst kinsfolk.

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But his counterplea when it came was of a disconcerting briefness and potency.

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The summons was issued four times, after which, if the accused did not appear, he lost the right of counterplea, or was nonsuited.

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