There exist several terms that have different meanings in various areas. These terms help us to understand more about the specified notion.
It also entails several procedures and the people that are involved in these procedures. However, the two primary terms that are used are 1. Plaintiff and 2. Defendant.
Plaintiff vs Defendant
The difference between Plaintiff and Defendant is their meaning. The meaning of the term “Plaintiff” is the person or a party who files a case against another person or a party in the court of law enforcement. On the other hand, the meaning of the term “Defendant” is the person or a party against whom the case is filed in the court of law enforcement.
The person or a party who files a case against another person or party in the court of law enforcement is known as the plaintiff.
The person or a party that is accused or against whom the case is filed in the court of law enforcement is known as “Defendant”. The diction of the term differs from one jurisdiction to another.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Plaintiff | Defendant |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning/ Definition | The person or a party who files a case against another person or party in the court of law enforcement is known as the plaintiff. | The person or a party that is accused or against whom the case is filed in the court of law enforcement is known as “Defendant”. |
| Procedure | The plaintiff files a case against the defendant in the court of law enforcement. | The defendant is accused of a crime, and a case is filed against the defendant in the court of law enforcement. |
| First Use | 14th century | In the 14th century, as a noun as well as an adjective. |
| Synonyms | Complainant, prosecutor, suer, accuser, suitor, pleader, petitioner. | Litigant, offender, suspect, prisoner, accused, arrestee, detainee, lawbreaker, criminal, perpetrator, wrongdoer, misdoer. |
| Antonyms | Defendant, accused, arrestee, detainee, criminal, perpetrator, lawbreaker, felon, convict. | Gangbuster, lawman, plaintiff, accuser, suitor, pleader, prosecutor. |
What is Plaintiff?
The person or a party who files a case against another person or party in the court of law enforcement is known as the plaintiff.
However, the roots of the word “plaintiff” can be found in the year 1278. It was derived from an Anglo-French word called “plaintiff”.
The term “Plaintiff” has been in use in several English-speaking jurisdictions. However, in England and Wales, the term is known as “claimant”, which also has multiple meanings and definitions.
Several synonyms and near-synonyms of the term “Plaintiff” include complainant, prosecutor, suer, accuser, suitor, pleader, petitioner, pleader, indicter, confronter, claimer, challenger, applicant, litigator, beseecher, pursuer, solicitor etc.
What is Defendant?
The person or a party that is accused or against whom the case is filed in the court of law enforcement is known as “Defendant”.
The defendants are brought under police custody, and only after that they are put in front of the court of law under an arrest warrant.
In various parts of the world, the term has different meanings, definitions, and usage, as well as a matter of fact. In Scots law, during the criminal proceedings, the terms like “accused” and “panel” are majorly used.
Several synonyms to the term “Defendant” include litigant, offender, suspect, prisoner, accused, arrestee, detainee, lawbreaker, criminal, perpetrator, wrongdoer, misdoer etc.
Main Differences Between Plaintiff and Defendant
- The synonyms for the term “plaintiff” include prosecutor, suer, accuser, suitors etc., on the other hand, the synonyms for the term “defendant” include accused, arrestee, detainee, criminal, perpetrator etc.
- The antonyms for the term “plaintiff” include accused, defendant, arrestee, detainee, criminal, perpetrator, lawbreakers etc.,
References
- https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/467986
- https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1988-07436-001
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