Final answer:
In law, a defendant's official and clear response to a plaintiff's complaint is known as an answer. It is a key element in the judicial process, providing a response or explanation, which is a critical step in the adversarial system.
Step-by-step explanation:
A definite response to the complaint filed against him or her by the plaintiff is typically known as an answer. In the context of Court Fundamentals, when a case is presented in court, the plaintiff is the one who initiates the complaint against the defendant, who then must provide a clear and official response to the allegations. This response can range from an admission, a denial, or an explanation of any extenuating circumstances that might affect the case. It may also include a response to a counterclaim, presenting the defendant's own claims against the plaintiff.
Such a response is an appropriate reaction to a legal claim and is an essential part of the judicial process in adversarial systems. While the response itself may not solve the issue at hand, it represents a step towards a potential compromise or a full defense strategy.