1. Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive. [Obs.] With men of courage and with means defendant. Shak.
2. Making defense.
DEFENDANT
De*fend"ant, n.
1. One who defends; a defender. The rampiers and ditches which the defendants had cast up. Spotswood.
2. (Law)
Defn: A person required to make answer in an action or suit; — opposed to plaintiff. Abbott.
Note: 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.
DEFENDEE
De`fen*dee", n.
Defn: One who is defended. [R. & Ludicrous]
DEFENDER
De*fend"er, n. Etym: [Cf. Fender.]