De*fend"ant (?), a. [F. d'efendant, p. pr. of d'efendre. See Defend.]
1. Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive. [Obs.]
With men of courage and with means defendant.
Shak.
2. Making defense.
© Webster 1913.
De*fend"ant, n.
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.
⇒ 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.
© Webster 1913. | 
