Thesaurus: defendant

Related headwords

Definitions

1. a. Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive.
2. a. Making defense.
3. n. One who defends; a defender.
4. n. A person required to make answer in an action or suit; -- opposed to plaintiff.
5. n. a person or institution against whom an action is brought in a court of law; the person being sued or accused
6. 1. Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive. [Obs.] With men of courage and with means defendant. Shak. 2. Making defense. 1. One who defends; a defender. The rampiers and ditches which the defendants had cast up. Spotswood. 2. (Law) A person required to make answer in an action or suit; -- opposed to plaintiff. Abbott. Note: 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.
7. A person required to make answer in an action or suit; --opposed to plaintiff. Abbott.
8. n:100 n. a person or institution against whom an action is brought in a court of law; the person being sued or accused