Defendant
Defendant (de*fend"ant) , adjective
[French défendant, present participle of défendre. See Defend.]
1.
Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive. [Obsolete]
With men of courage and with means defendant.
2.
Making defense.
Defendant , noun
1.
One who defends; a defender.
The rampiers and ditches which the defendants had cast up.
2.
(Law) A person required to make answer in an action or suit; -- opposed to plaintiff. — Abbott
The term is applied to any party of whom a demand is made in court, whether the party denies and defends the claim, or admits it, and suffers a default; also to a party charged with a criminal offense.