Default Definition
dĭ-fôlt
defaulted, defaulting, defaults
noun
defaults
Failure to perform a task or fulfill an obligation, especially failure to meet a financial obligation.
In default on a loan.
American Heritage
Failure to do something or be somewhere when required or expected.
Webster's New World
A preset choice, setting, etc. for automatic use as by a program when no other is specified by a user.
Webster's New World
The failure of one or more competitors or teams to participate in a contest.
Won the championship by default.
American Heritage
Any choice or option that someone naturally or routinely falls back on or resorts to.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
- nonremittal
- nonpayment
- default option
- nonadherence
- arrearage
- arrears
- nonfulfillment
- fault
- lapse
- failure to appear
- insufficiency
- inadequacy
- want
- failure to act
- error
verb
defaulted, defaulting, defaults
To fail to do something or be somewhere when required or expected.
Webster's New World
To fail to do, pay, finish, etc. (something) when required.
Webster's New World
To lose (a contest, etc.) by default; forfeit.
Webster's New World
To lose a contest by default.
Webster's New World
To turn or proceed to a particular choice or option automatically or routinely.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
adjective
Designating a choice, setting, etc. that is the default.
A default printer.
Webster's New World
Being the choice or option regarded as routine, automatic, etc.
The Administration's default position on tax cuts.
Webster's New World
idiom
in default of
- Through the failure, absence, or lack of.
American Heritage
in default of
- in the absence of; through lack of
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Default
- in default of
- in default of
Origin of Default
-
Middle English defaute from Old French from past participle of defaillir to fail, grow weak de- intensive pref. de– faillir fail
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
From Middle English, from Old French defaute (“fault, defect, failure, culpability, lack”), ultimately from Latin de- (“away”) + fallo (“deceive, cheat, escape notice of”)
From Wiktionary
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