上述这些单词均有“被告”的含义。其中，defendant为通用语，可用于一般民事或刑事案件的初审中，与其相对的原告为plaintiff [1] 。respondent用于上诉审（此时也称为appellee)及申请获得特别命令或离婚、遗嘱验证等衡平法案件中，与其相对的原告（或上诉人）有appellant, petitioner, applicant 等[2]。accused专指刑事被告 [3] ; 与之相对的原告有plaintiff (刑事自诉人）或prosecution (公诉方）。defender则是苏格兰专门用语, 与其相对的原告为pursuer [4]。libel (l) ee则专指海事或离婚案件的原告，与其相对的原告为libel (l) ant [5]。

[1]“The party against whom a criminal or civil action is brought. ”Cf. Linda Picard Wood, J. D.，Merriam Webster's Dictionary of Law, at p. 128, Merriam-Webster, Incorporated (1996).
[2]“The party against whom an appeal is taken. At common law, the defendant in an equity proceeding. " Cf. Bryan A. Gamer, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th edition, at p. 1313, West Group (1999).
[3]“A person or persons arrested, indicted, or otherwise formally charged with a crime； the defendant(s) or prospective defendant(s) in a criminal case. " Cf. James E. Clapp, Random House Webster's Dictionary of the Law, at p. 10, Random House (2000).
[4]“Scots law：a party defendant in a legal proceeding . . . opposed to pursuer." Cf. Philip Babcock Gove, Ph. D. and the Merriam - Webster Editorial Staff, Webster's Third New International Dictionary, at p. 591，G &C Merriam Co. (1976).
[5]“ The party against whom a libel has been filed in admiralty or ecclesiastical court. ”Cf. Bryan A. Gamer, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th edition, at p. 928，West Group (1999).