counterplea: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / TechnicalFormal, Technical (Legal)
Quick answer
What does “counterplea” mean?
A legal plea made in response to another plea, especially an opposing claim or allegation in a civil or criminal proceeding.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A legal plea made in response to another plea, especially an opposing claim or allegation in a civil or criminal proceeding.
Any opposing argument or response presented to counter a previous claim or request, sometimes used metaphorically outside strict legal contexts to mean a rebuttal or counter-argument.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally technical and rare in both jurisdictions.
Connotations
Neutral, purely procedural legal term in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; used almost exclusively by legal professionals. Slightly more historical in UK usage, but still present in modern legal texts.
Grammar
How to Use “counterplea” in a Sentence
[Subject] filed a counterplea [to/against Object]The [defendant/attorney] entered a counterplea [arguing/claiming that...]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “counterplea” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The defence is expected to counterplea next week.
- They sought to counterplea the allegations with new evidence.
American English
- The defense is expected to counterplea next week.
- They sought to counterplea the allegations with new evidence.
adjective
British English
- The counterplea strategy was risky but necessary.
- They drafted a strong counterplea motion.
American English
- The counterplea strategy was risky but necessary.
- They drafted a strong counterplea motion.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used outside of specific business litigation contexts.
Academic
Used only in legal scholarship and historical texts discussing court procedures.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary domain. Used in legal drafting, court filings, and procedural law.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “counterplea”
- Using it as a synonym for 'counterargument' in non-legal contexts.
- Confusing it with 'counterclaim'.
- Misspelling as 'counterplee' or 'counter-plea' (the hyphenated form is archaic).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, technical term used almost exclusively in legal contexts.
It is not recommended. 'Counterplea' has a specific legal meaning. 'Counterargument', 'rebuttal', or 'response' are more appropriate for general essays.
A counterplea is a defensive response that seeks to negate or answer the original plea. A counterclaim is an independent, affirmative claim made by the defendant against the plaintiff.
In modern usage, it is standardly written as one word: 'counterplea'. The hyphenated form 'counter-plea' is considered archaic.
A legal plea made in response to another plea, especially an opposing claim or allegation in a civil or criminal proceeding.
Counterplea is usually formal, technical (legal) in register.
Counterplea: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkaʊn.təˌpliː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkaʊn.t̬ɚˌpliː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The term is purely technical.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COUNTER + PLEA. A plea that COUNTERs an earlier one. Like a counter-attack in law.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAW IS WAR (battling with pleas and counterpleas), ARGUMENT IS WAR.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'counterplea' most appropriately used?