defendant

n. accused, person who is being sued (Law)

adj. being on the defensive

A defendant or defender (Δ in legal shorthand) is any party who is required to answer the complaint of a plaintiff or pursuer in a civil lawsuit before a court, or any party who has been formally charged or accused of violating a criminal statute.A defendant in a civil action usually makes his or her first court appearance voluntarily in response to a summons, whereas a defendant in a criminal case is often taken into custody by police and brought before a court, pursuant to an arrest warrant. The actions of a defendant, and its lawyer counsel, is known as the defense.
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Noun
1. a person or institution against whom an action is brought in a court of law; the person being sued or accused
(synonym) suspect
(antonym) plaintiff, complainant
(hypernym) litigant, litigator
(hyponym) accused
(derivation) defend, represent
(classification) law, jurisprudence

v. defend, stand up for, stand for, champion, guard, uphold, assert, buckler, vindicate, forbid, prohibit, bar, forestall

(n.)
One who defends; a defender.
  

(n.)
A person required to make answer in an action or suit; -- opposed to plaintiff.
  

(a.)
Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive.
  

(a.)
Making defense.