A History of Short Words

From the New York Times Crossword Puzzle

PLED

Wed, 4 Oct '23
Answered a charge
Fri, 28 Jul '23
Got on one's knees, maybe
Sun, 22 Jan '23
Made a case
Fri, 13 May '22
Was appealing?
Wed, 27 Oct '21
Begged
Fri, 8 Oct '21
Spoke to a judge, say
Tue, 15 Jun '21
Offered, as a defense