third party

third-party, vb. To bring (a person or entity) into litigation as a third-party defendant (seeking indemnity, the defendant third-partied the surety). [Cases: Federal Civil Procedure 281; Parties 49. C.J.S. Parties § 127.]

third party, n. A person who is not a party to a lawsuit, agreement, or other transaction but who is usu. somehow implicated in it; someone other than the principal parties. — Also termed outside party; third person. See PARTY. [Cases: Federal Civil Procedure 281; Parties 49. C.J.S. Parties § 127.] — third-party, adj.