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Added 9 October 2026

defendant

/dɪˈfɛnd.ənt/ noun

In Latin: reus Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about defendant at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A person or institution against whom an action is brought in a court of law; the person being sued or accused.

Origin

From Middle English defendaunt (“defending; defending in a suit”), borrowed from Old French defendant, present participle of defendre, from Latin dēfendere.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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