a. and sb. [ad. F. litigant, ad. L. lītigant-em, pr. pple. of lītigāre (see LITIGATE).] A. adj. Engaged in a law-suit or in a dispute. Only in connection with party.
1638. Chillingw., Relig. Prot., I. v. § 98. 299. The parties litigant are agreed that many errors were held by many of the ancient Doctors.
168[?]. in Somers, Tracts, I. 196. Verdicts are found … as the litigant Parties exceed one the other in Power and Practice.
1754. Hume, Hist. Eng. (1761), I. App. ii. 257. Sometimes the party litigant offered the king a certain portion … payable out of the debts.
1884. Sir J. Bacon, in Law Rep., 26 Ch. Div. 135. The shareholders who are the parties here litigant.
B. sb. A person engaged in a lawsuit or dispute.
1659. Gentl. Calling (1696), 1. Much greater is the odds between these two Litigants.
a. 1674. Clarendon, Surv. Leviath., 102. If the Litigant be not pleased with the opinion of his Judg.
1728. T. Sheridan, Persius, iv. (1739), 62. The Judges and Litigants both used to swear at this Altar.
1810. Bentham, Packing (1821), 228. That security, which the aggregate body of litigants … do not enjoy.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., viii. II. 339. Ordinary litigants complained that their business was neglected.
1885. Sir C. S. C. Bowen, in Law Times Rep., LIII. 484/2. The great rule is, that poverty is no bar to the litigant.
