| defendant | 1. One who defends; a defender. "The rampiers and ditches which the defendants had cast up." (Spotswood) 2. A person required to make answer in an action or suit; opposed to plaintiff. 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. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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