Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Law) A pleading by the defendant in reply to a plaintiff's surrejoinder: In common law legal procedure, a "rebutter" is a formal written response from the defendant, specifically addressing the points made in the plaintiff's surrejoinder. It is part of a series of alternating pleadings.
   • A debater who refutes or disproves by offering contrary evidence or argument: A person who formally rebuts or counters an argument, typically in a debate or formal discussion.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Legal):

  • The defendant's attorney filed a rebutter to address the new allegations in the surrejoinder.
  • The court allowed ten days for the submission of a rebutter.

• Noun (General):

  • In the parliamentary debate, she was the most skilled rebutter on her team.
  • As a seasoned rebutter, he systematically dismantled his opponent's claims with data.

Advanced Usage

• "To act as a rebutter": To take on the role of refuting arguments.
  • He was asked to act as the primary rebutter for the panel discussion.

Variants and Related Words

• Rebut (verb): To claim or prove that evidence or an accusation is false; to refute.
  • The candidate sought to rebut the allegations during the press conference.
• Rebuttal (noun): The act of rebutting, or a statement that rebuts.
  • Her rebuttal was concise and convincing.

Synonyms

• Refuter: One who refutes.
• Confuter: One who proves to be false or invalid.
• Disprover: One who disproves.

Notes on Meaning

The primary contemporary use of "rebutter" is in the context of formal debate. Its legal meaning, while precise, is now largely historical or specialized, as modern common law jurisdictions have simplified pleading procedures, often replacing the specific pleadings of "rebutter" and "surrejoinder" with more general terms like "reply" or "answer."

Noun

1. (law) a pleading by the defendant in reply to a plaintiff's surrejoinder
2. a debater who refutes or disproves by offering contrary evidence or argument