prévenu

defendant

noun preh-veh-NUE Rare

Also means

accused person

Usage Note

Prévenu is the legal term for someone charged but not yet convicted; it contrasts with condamné (convicted person). The feminine form is prévenue. Outside legal contexts the past participle of prévenir ('to warn') looks identical, so context is essential for disambiguation.

Examples

"Le prévenu a nié toutes les accusations."

Natural Translation

The defendant denied all the charges.

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