pleading. A technical allegation contained in a replication which denies or confesses and avoids the plea. It is usually in the following form; And the said A B, as to the plea of the said C D, by him secondly above pleaded, says, that he the said A B, by reason of any thing by the said C D, in that plea alleged, ought not to be barred from having and maintaining his aforesaid action thereof against the said C D, because he says that,