Defendant

Defendaunt.

L. Fr. k Eng. [L. Lat. defendens, and sometimes defensor; L. Fr. defendour, from defendre, to deny or defend.] In pleading and practice. The party against whom an action at law or in equity is brought; the party denying, (in the ancient sense,) opposing, resisting or contesting the action. See Defend. Called in Scotch practice, the defender. Defendant, strictly, is the proper title of the party sued in a personal action; such party in a real action being termed the tenant.

Termes de la ley

In modem practice, however, this distinction is, in a great degree, disregarded. See Tenant,