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defendant

 - 4 dictionary results

de⋅fend⋅ant

[di-fen-duhnt or, especially in court for 1, -dant]
–noun
1. Law. a person, company, etc., against whom a claim or charge is brought in a court (opposed to plaintiff ).
2. Obsolete. defender.
–adjective
3. making one's defense; defending: a defendant corporation.
4. Obsolete. defensive.

Origin:
1275–1325; ME defendaunt < AF (MF, OF defendant). See defend, -ant
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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de·fen·dant   (dĭ-fěn'dənt, -dānt')   
n.   Law
The party against which an action is brought.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

defendant

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

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: de·fen·dant
Pronunciation: di-'fen-d&nt, -"dant
Function: noun
: the party against whom a criminal or civil action is brought —see also ANSWER, CODEFENDANT —compare ACCUSED, PLAINTIFF
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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