reconvention

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. In law, an action by a defendant against a plaintiff in a previous or pending action; a cross-bill or counter-claim. Thus, one who could not be made defendant in an original action, by reason of not being subject to the Jurisdiction, may in some cases, if he sues as plaintiff, be compelled to respond to a cross-action or counter-claim, by way of reconvention in reduction or extinction of his demand.

Wiktionary

1. n. law, civil law An action brought by the defendant against the plaintiff before the same judge.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. (Civil Law) A cross demand; an action brought by the defendant against the plaintiff before the same judge.