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To have time before pleading; to have delay for mutual adjustment. Blackstone.

Matter stated by way of explanatory preamble or introduction to the main allegations of a pleading; a leading to.

An averment employed in pleading, to point the application of matter otherwise unintelligible; an interpretative parenthesis thrown into quoted matter to explain an obscure word or words; -- as, the plaintiff avers that the defendant said that he (innuendo the plaintiff) was a thief. Wharton.

Passing between; mediating; pleading. [R.] -- In`ter*ced"ent*ly, adv.

In pleading, a single material point of law or fact depending in the suit, which, being affirmed on the one side and denied on the other, is presented for determination. See General issue, under General, and Feigned issue, under Feigned. Blount. Cowell. At issue, in controversy; disputed; opposing or contesting; hence,…

An oversight in pleading, or the acknowledgment of a mistake or oversight. Blackstone.

To make the subject of a lawsuit; to contest in law; to prosecute or defend by pleadings, exhibition of evidence, and judicial debate in a court; as, to litigate a cause.

To err in pleading.

To argue or plead in a supposed case. There is a difference between mooting and pleading; between fencing and fighting. B. Jonson.

A woman plaintiff, or complainant, in equity pleading. Burrill.

Of or pertaining to pleas or pleading, in courts of law. [Obs.] Clayton.

A plea; a pleading; a judicial proceeding; a suit. Burrill.

One who draws up or forms pleas; the draughtsman of pleas or pleadings in the widest sense; as, a special pleader.

ed by, immemorial or long-continued use and enjoyment; as, a prescriptive right of title; pleading the continuance and authority of long custom. The right to be drowsy in protracted toil has become prescriptive. J. M. Mason.

m: [L.] (Law), taken as confessed. The action of a court of equity on that portion of the pleading in a particular case which the pleading on the other side does not deny. -- Pro rata. Etym: [L. See Prorate.] In proportion; proportion. -- Pro re nata Etym: [L.] (Law), for the existing occasion; as matters are.…

Formerly, a declaration in common-law pleading, by which the party interposes an oblique allegation or denial of some fact, protesting that it does or does not exist, and at the same time avoiding a direct affirmation or denial.

er to explain the reasons on which the transaction is founded; the statement of matter in pleading introductory to some positive allegation. Burn.

Surplusage inserted in a pleading which may be rejected by the court without impairing the validity of what remains.

onforming to any practice, as if it were an enjoined rule of conduct. [R.] Those parts of pleading which in ancient times might perhaps be material, but at this time are become only mere styles and forms, are still continued with much religion. Sir M. Hale.

A second pleading, or course of pleadings; also, the right of pleading again. Whenever a repleader is granted, the pleadings must begin de novo. Blackstone.