de·fault
(d
-fôlt
)
KEY
NOUN:
- Failure to perform a task or fulfill an obligation, especially failure to meet a financial obligation:
in default on a loan.
-
Law
Failure to make a required court appearance.
- The failure of one or more competitors or teams to participate in a contest:
won the championship by default.
-
-
Computer Science
A particular setting or value for a variable that is assigned automatically by an operating system and remains in effect unless canceled or overridden by the operator:
changed the default for the font in the word processing program.
- A situation or condition that obtains in the absence of active intervention.
VERB:
de·fault·ed
,
de·fault·ing
,
de·faults
VERB:
intr.
-
- To fail to do what is required.
- To fail to pay money when it is due.
-
Law
- To fail to appear in court when summoned.
- To lose a case by not appearing.
- To fail to take part in or complete a scheduled contest.
VERB:
tr.
- To fail to perform or pay.
-
Law
To lose (a case) by failing to appear in court.
- To fail to take part in or complete (a contest, for example).
IDIOM:
in default of
- Through the failure, absence, or lack of.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English
defaute, from Old French, from past participle of
defaillir,
to fail, grow weak :
de-,
intensive pref. ; see
de-
+
faillir ; see
fail
OTHER FORMS:
de·faulter
(Noun)
