Etymology : Middle English defaute, defaulte, from Old French defaute, from defaillir to be lacking, fail, from de- + faillir to fail
Pronunciation : di-folt, dE-; dE-"folt
Function : noun
Date : 13th century
1. failure to perform a duty; failure to pay on time; failure to appear in court; option on a computer which is automatically selected unless a user selects a different option. fail to perform a duty; fail to pay on time; fail to appear in court. default\de*fault"\ , n. [oe. defaute, of. defaute, defalte, fem., f. défaut, masc., ll. defalta, fr. a verb meaning, to be deficient, to want, fail, fr. l. de- + fallere to deceive. see:
fault.].
2. a failing or failure; omission of that which ought to be done; neglect to do what duty or law requires; as, this evil has happened through the governor's default.
3. fault; offense; ill deed; wrong act; failure in virtue or wisdom. and pardon craved for his so rash default. regardless of our merit or default.
4. (law) a neglect of, or failure to take, some step necessary to secure the benefit of law, as a failure to appear in court at a day assigned, especially of the defendant in a suit when called to make answer; also of jurors, witnesses, etc.
5. A failing or failure; omission of that which ought to be done; neglect to do what duty or law requires; as, this evil has happened through the governor's default.
6. Fault; offense; ill deed; wrong act; failure in virtue or wisdom.
7. A neglect of, or failure to take, some step necessary to secure the benefit of law, as a failure to appear in court at a day assigned, especially of the defendant in a suit when called to make answer; also of jurors, witnesses, etc.
8. To fail in duty; to offend.
9. To fail in fulfilling a contract, agreement, or duty.
10. To fail to appear in court; to let a case go by default.
11. To fail to perform or pay; to be guilty of neglect of; to omit; as, to default a dividend.
12. To call a defendant or other party whose duty it is to be present in court, and make entry of his default, if he fails to appear; to enter a default against.
13. To leave out of account; to omit. loss due to not showing up; "he lost the game by default" act of failing to meet a financial obligation fail to pay up.
14. de·fault defaults defaulting defaulted Usually pronounced but pronounced for meaning 2.
15. If a person, company, or country defaults on something that they have legally agreed to do, such as paying some money or doing a piece of work before a particular time, they fail to do it. The credit card business is down, and more borrowers are defaulting on loans Default is also a noun. The corporation may be charged with default on its contract with the government.
16. A default situation is what exists or happens unless someone or something changes it. default passwords installed on commercial machines.
17. In computing, the default is a particular set of instructions which the computer always uses unless the person using the computer gives other instructions. The default is usually the setting that most users would probably choose. default settings.
18. If something happens by default, it happens only because something else which might have prevented it or changed it has not happened. I would rather pay the individuals than let the money go to the State by default.