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In a stout manner; lustily; boldly; obstinately; as, he stoutly defended himself.

intrepid; as, a strenuous advocate for national rights; a strenuous reformer; a strenuous defender of his country. And spirit-stirring wine, that strenuous makes. Chapman. Strenuous, continuous labor is pain. I. Taylor. -- Stren"u*ous*ly, adv. -- Stren"u*ous*ness, n.

an) out of play by knocking off the bail, or knocking down the stumps of the wicket he is defending while he is off his allotted ground; -- sometimes with out. T. Hughes.

as a witness, of the person on whom it is served, under a penalty; the process by which a defendant in equity is commanded to appear and answer the plaintiff's bill. [Written also subpena.] Subpoena ad testificandum (. Etym: [NL.] A writ used to procure the attendance of a witness for the purpose of testifying. -- Sub…

enough; ample; competent; as, provision sufficient for the family; an army sufficient to defend the country. My grace is sufficient for thee. 2 Cor. xii. 9.

failing or sinking; to solace under affictive circumstances; to assist; to encourage; to defend; as, to support the courage or spirits.

Especially, an adherent; one who sustains, advocates, and defends; as, the supporter of a party, faction, or candidate.

To reply, as a plaintiff to a defendant's rebutter.

The reply of a plaintiff to a defendant's rebutter.

To reply, as a plaintiff to a defendant's rejoinder.

The answer of a plaintiff to a defendant's rejoinder.

A rope used to encircle a boat longitudinally, to strengthen and defend her sides.

That may be legally charged by a court against the plaintiff of defendant in a suit; as, taxable costs. -- Tax"a*ble*ness, n. -- Tax"a*bly, adv.

Capable of being held, naintained, or defended, as against an assailant or objector, or againts attempts to take or process; as, a tenable fortress, a tenable argument. If you have hitherto concealed his sight, Let it be tenable in your silence still. Shak. I would be the last man in the world to give up his cause when…

A stroke; a blow. [Obs.] Nor shield defend the thunder of his throws. Spenser.

Adorned or defended by towers. Towered cities please us then. Milton.

Having towers; adorned or defended by towers. [R.] "Towery cities." Pope.

To deny formally, as what the opposite party has alleged. When the plaintiff or defendant advances new matter, he avers it to be true, and traverses what the other party has affirmed. To traverse an indictment or an office is to deny it. And save the expense of long litigious laws, Where suits are traversed, and so lit…

n by the people, to protect them from the oppression of the patricians, or nobles, and to defend their liberties against any attempts that might be made upon them by the senate and consuls.

Not supported by pleas; undefended; as, an unpleaded suit.