DEFENDANT (2)

defendant (2). Defendant, a. defensive, fit to use for defence

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De‐fend″ant, n. 1. 1. One who defends; a defender.
The rampiers and ditches which the defendants had cast up. Spotswood. 2. 2. (Law) A person required to make answer in an action or suit; — opposed to plaintiff. Abbott.
☞ The term is applied to any party of whom a demand is made in court, whether the party denies and defends the claim, or admits it, and suffers a default; also to a party charged with a criminal offense.