1-Stop Dictionary Reference

Defendant

ahd-5

noun. The party against which an action is brought.

The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

Defensive; proper for defense.

In law, making defense; being in the attitude of a defendant: as, the party defendant.

noun. One who defends against an assailant, or against the approach of evil or danger; a defender.

noun. In law, a party sued in a court of law, whether in a civil or a criminal proceeding; one who is summoned into court, that he may have opportunity to defend, deny, or oppose the demand or charge, and maintain his own right.

the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English

adjective. Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive.

adjective. Making defense.

noun. One who defends; a defender.

noun. A person required to make answer in an action or suit; -- opposed to plaintiff.

Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

noun. 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.

noun. In criminal proceedings, the accused.

WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

noun. a person or institution against whom an action is brought in a court of law; the person being sued or accused

Word Usage

"Does it change the analysis if a defendant is already properly legally charged and therefore already facing all the consequences of prosecution, as happens in all deferreds?"

cross-reference

defendant in error

Hypernym

Words that are more generic or abstract

litigant litigator

Hyponym

Words that are more specific

accused codefendant

Rhyme

Words with the same terminal sound

ascendant attendant dependent descendant descendent

Same Context

Words that are found in similar contexts

attorney claimant client complainant criminal

Synonym

Words with the same meaning

accessory accused bitter-ender brawler correspondent