Tearful request
I believe the answer is:
plea
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">tearful request</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this in another clue)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for plea that I've seen before include "Answer made by the accused to the charge" , "Intercession" , "Negotiation between prosecutor and defendant" , "Heartfelt request" , "Excuse - pretext" .)