also: てきにん
noun
Archaic term for an enemy or opponent, especially in battle or competition. In modern Japanese, 敵 (てき) is used instead.
古い軍記物語には、敵人を討つ武士の姿が描かれている。
In old war tales, warriors are depicted striking down their enemies.
「敵人」という言葉は、現代ではほとんど使われない。
The word 敵人 is hardly ever used in modern times.
noun
opposing party in a lawsuit
Archaic legal term for the opposing party in a lawsuit. This usage is obsolete and not found in contemporary Japanese.
江戸時代の裁判記録には、敵人という表現が見られることがある。
In Edo-period court records, the expression 敵人 can sometimes be seen.
The modern standard word for 'enemy' or 'opponent'. 敵人 is its archaic predecessor.
The word is composed of 敵 (enemy) and 人 (person), literally 'enemy person'. It is an archaic term that has been replaced by 敵 in modern usage.