Whatever is offered by the defendant as sufficient to defeat the cause of action stated in the plaintiffs declaration, either by way of denial, justification, or confession, is a plea.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) Any matter the defendant raises to defeat the plaintiff's claim — whether denial, justification, or confession and avoidance — constitutes a plea and must conform to the rules of pleading.

Where this applies

• A defendant in a personal-injury case pleads that the plaintiff signed a liability waiver — that waiver, offered to defeat the claim, is a plea whether it denies, justifies, or confesses the act.
• A contractor sued for defective work responds by arguing the homeowner approved every change order — this justification offered to defeat the claim constitutes a plea.
• A debtor responds to a collection suit by admitting the debt existed but asserting it was already paid — this confession and avoidance is a plea under the rules.