DEFENDANT Definition & Meaning

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defendant

[dih-fen-duhnt, -dant]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Law.��a person, company, etc., against whom a claim or charge is brought in a court (plaintiff ).
Obsolete.��defender.

adjective

making one's defense; defending.
a defendant corporation.
Obsolete.��defensive.

defendant

/ ��ɪˈ��ɛ�Ի�ə�Գ� /

noun

a person against whom an action or claim is brought in a court of law Compare plaintiff

adjective

making a defence; defending

defendant

The party that is being sued in court. (Compare plaintiff.)

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

nondefendant noun
undefendant adjective

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of defendant¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English defendaunt, from Anglo-French ( Middle French, Old French defendant ). See defend, -ant

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The defendants spoke only to confirm their identities.

From

But for defendant’s counsel it was a miscarriage of law: “Objection. Calls for legal conclusion. Calls for expert opinion. Relevance. Lacks foundation,” she interjected, prompting a weary, “Overruled,” from the judge.

From

"Jakob shows no signs of fear or submission in relation to the defendant," the court said of the latter.

From

Another said he resented the defendant for, in his view, getting them caught.

From

All four defendants entered not guilty pleas Thursday and are being held on $100,000 bail.

From

Related 51�Թ�s

litigant��
offender��
prisoner��
suspect��

defend defender

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