1 An accused person's formal reply to a charge in a criminal court, the choices being guilty, not guilty, and nolo contendere (no contest). 2 An answer in an equity case telling why a suit should be barred, delayed, or dismissed. 3A pleading. affirmativeplea.One intent on establishing a fact not in the bill that, if established, negates the merit of the complainant's case. dilatory plea. One that contests the grounds of a plaintiff's case, other than its merits, such as wrong jurisdiction, wr...