/di fen"deuhnt/ or, esp. in court for 1, /-dant/ , n.
1. Law. a person, company, etc., against whom a claim or charge is brought in a court (opposed to plaintiff ).
2. Obs. defender.
adj.
3. making one's defense; defending: a defendant corporation.
4. Obs. defensive.
[ 1275-1325; ME defendaunt defendant ). See DEFEND, -ANT ]