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Default of apperance, as in court, to prosecute or defend; failure to appear.

The omission of some person who ought to have been made a plaintiff or defendant in a suit, or of some cause of action which ought to be joined.

A plea of a defendant that he did not hold the land, as affirmed.

The power of smelling; hence, scent. We are not offended with a dog for a better nose than his master. Collier.

The act of offending in any sense; esp., a crime or a sin, an affront or an injury. Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification. Rom. iv. 25. I have given my opinion against the authority of two great men, but I hope without offense to their memories. Dryden.

Unoffending; inoffensive.

leaque that requires all the parties to it to make war together against any foe, and to defend one another if attacked.

To attempt; to undertake. All that offer to defend him. Shak.

; frequently; not rarely; many times. [Poetic] Chaucer. Oft she rejects, but never once offends. Pope.

Long practiced; hence, skilled; experienced; cunning; as, an old offender; old in vice. Vane, young in years, but in sage counsel old. Milton.

lly, one who attacks some theirs or proposition, in distinction from the respondent, or defendant, who maintains it. How becomingly does Philopolis exercise his office, and seasonably commit the opponent with the respondent, like a long-practiced moderator! Dr. H. More.

To exhibit; to manifest. [Obs.] Mercy to mean offenders we'll ostend. J. Webster.

oach of an enemy; hence, anything for defense placed at a distance from the thing to be defended.

A hearing or an inspection, as of a deed, bond, etc., as when a defendant in court prays oyer of a writing. Blackstone. Oyer and terminer (Law), a term used in England in commissions directed to judges of assize about to hold court, directing them to hear and determine cases brought before them. In the U.S. the phrase…

An intercepting mound, erected in any part of a fortification to protect the defenders from a rear or ricochet fire; a traverse. Farrow.

The act of pardoning; forgiveness, as of an offender, or of an offense; release from penalty; remission of punishment; absolution. Pardon, my lord, for me and for my tidings. Shak. But infinite in pardon was my judge. Milton. Used in expressing courteous denial or contradiction; as, I crave your pardon; or in indicatin…

quiring the excution of penalty; venial; excusable; -- applied to the offense or to the offender; as, a pardonable fault, or culprit.

The plaintiff or the defendant in a lawsuit, whether an individual, a firm, or corporation; a litigant. The cause of both parties shall come before the judges. Ex. xxii. 9.

nse of the nature of a patent. If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to offend. Shak.

One who protects, supports, or countenances; a defender. "Patron of my life and liberty." Shak. "The patron of true holiness." Spenser.