What does "defendant" mean?

Additional senses

1. 2.One who defends; a defender. The rampiers and ditches which the defendants had cast up. Spotswood.
2. 3.(Law) 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.