demandant
(dɪˈmɑːndənt, -æ-)
[a. Anglo-Fr. (and Fr.) demandant (15th c.), n. use of pr. pple. of demander to demand.]
One who demands.
1. Law. a. spec. The plaintiff in a real action; b. gen. a plaintiff or claimant in any civil action.
| [1344 Act 18 Edw. III, c. 7 Pour quoi tieux dismes a les demandauntz ne deivent estre restitutes—transl. wherefore such dismes ought not to be restored to the said demandants.] 1485 Act 1 Hen. VII, c. 1 The Demaundants shuld not knowe ayenst whom they shall take their accion. 1495 Act 11 Hen. VII, c. 24 §1 The demaundaunt or playntif in the same Atteynt hath afore be nonsute. 1614 Selden Titles Hon. 234 The Earle excepted also to the Jurisdiction..and the Demandants replie. 1641 Termes de la Ley 107 b, Demaundant is he that sueth or complaineth in an action Reall for title of land, and he is called plaintife in an Assise, and in an action personal. 1767 Blackstone Comm. II. 271 In such cases a jury shall try the true right of the demandants or plaintiffs to the land. 1832 Austin Jurispr. (1879) I. vi. 295 A sovereign government..may appear in the character of defendant, or may appear in the character of demandant before a tribunal of its own appointment. |
2. One who makes a demand or claim; a demander.
| 1590 Swinburne Testaments 62 It is to bee presumed that the testator did answer, yea, rather to deliuer himselfe of the importunitie of the demaundant, then vpon deuotion or intente to make his will. 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 204 To reproch the demandant, as though hee had little skill and discretion, to aske a thing of him who could not give the same. 1780 Burke Econ. Reform Wks. 1842 I. 234 Which will give preference to services, not according to the importunity of the demandant, but the rank and order of their utility or their justice. 1888 Co-operative News 26 May 486 Rights equitably claimed by the demandant for himself. |
3. One who questions or interrogates.
| 1656 J. Bourne Def. Scriptures 52 Read Mr. John Deacon, a solid and sharp Questionist, Replyant and Demandant. 1826 Disraeli Viv. Grey vi. vi, It was evident the demandant had questioned rather from systems than by way of security. 1854 S. Dobell Balder Pref. 6 Perhaps it would be considered too general a reference if I were to remit my demandants to the whole history of intellect. |