defendant

== English == === Alternative forms === defendaunt (obsolete) === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /dɪˈfɛnd.ənt/ === Etymology 1 === From Middle English defendaunt (“defending; defending in a suit”), borrowed from Old French defendant, present participle of defendre, from Latin dēfendere. ==== Adjective ==== defendant (comparative more defendant, superlative most defendant) Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive, defending. === Etymology 2 === From Middle English defendaunt (“defendant in a suit; defender”), borrowed from Old French defendant, nominalisation of defendant; see above. ==== Noun ==== defendant (plural defendants) (law) 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. (law) In criminal proceedings, the accused. ===== Usage notes ===== In Canadian and Philippine law, defendant is generally used only for a party being sued civilly; a person being tried criminally is the accused. ===== Synonyms ===== (law, litigation): (in civil proceedings) respondant ===== Antonyms ===== (antonym(s) of “in civil proceedings”): plaintiff, claimant (antonym(s) of “in criminal proceedings”): prosecutor ===== Hypernyms ===== litigant ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Related terms ===== respondent ===== Translations ===== == Latin == === Verb === dēfendant third-person plural present active subjunctive of dēfendō