defendant

• defendaunt (obsolete)

From Anglo-Norman

• IPA^(key): /dɪˈfɛndənt/

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defendant (plural defendants)

1. (law) In civil proceedings, the party responding to the complaint; one who is sued and called upon to make satisfaction for a wrong complained of by another.
2. (law) In criminal proceedings, the accused.

• (in civil proceedings): plaintiff, claimant
• (in criminal proceedings): prosecutor

• litigant

• respondent

defendant (comparative more defendant, superlative most defendant)

1. Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive.
   • c. 1598, William Shakespeare, Henry V, Act II, Scene 4,

     Thus comes the English with full power upon us;

     And more than carefully it us concerns

     To answer royally in our defences.

     Therefore the Dukes of Berri and of Bretagne,

     Of Brabant and of Orleans, shall make forth,

     And you, Prince Dauphin, with all swift dispatch,

     To line and new repair our towns of war

     With men of courage and with means defendant;

dēfendant

1. third-person plural present active subjunctive of dēfendō