De*fend"ant, n. 1. One who defends; a defender.
The rampiers and ditches which the defendants had cast up.
Spotswood.
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.