Meaning
DEFENDANT, a.
1. Defensive; proper for defense.
2. Making defense; being in the character of a defendant.
DEFENDANT, n.
1. He that defends against an assailant, or against the approach of evil or danger.
2. In law, the party that opposes a complaint, demand or charge; he that is summoned into court, and defends, denies or opposes the demand or charge, and maintains his own right. It is applied to any party of whom a demand is made in court, whether the party denies and defends, or admits the claim and suffers a default.
