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//dɪˈfɒlt// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The condition of failing to meet an obligation. countable, uncountable

    "He failed to make payments on time, and he is now in default."

  2. 2
    loss due to not showing up wordnet
  3. 3
    The condition of being an obligation that has not been met. countable, uncountable

    "The deadline has passed, so the debt is now in default."

  4. 4
    an option that is selected automatically unless an alternative is specified wordnet
  5. 5
    the original software programming settings as set by the factory countable, uncountable
Show 9 more definitions
  1. 6
    loss resulting from failure of a debt to be paid wordnet
  2. 7
    A loss incurred by failing to compete. countable, uncountable

    "The team's three losses include one default."

  3. 8
    act of failing to meet a financial obligation wordnet
  4. 9
    A selection made in the absence of an alternative. countable, uncountable

    "The man became the leader of the group as a default."

  5. 10
    A value used when none has been given; a tentative value or standard that is presumed. attributive, countable, often, uncountable

    "If you don't specify a number of items, the default is 1."

  6. 11
    The failure of a defendant to appear and answer a summons and complaint. countable, uncountable
  7. 12
    A failing or failure; omission of that which ought to be done; neglect to do what duty or law requires. countable, obsolete, uncountable

    "This evil has happened through the governor's default."

  8. 13
    Lack; absence. countable, obsolete, uncountable

    "one was dragging a great coat from the window, before which it had long hung as a blind, in total default of glass or shutters"

  9. 14
    Fault; offence; wrong act. countable, obsolete, uncountable

    "regardless of our merit or default"

Verb
  1. 1
    To fail to meet an obligation.; To fail to appear and answer a summons and complaint. intransitive
  2. 2
    fail to pay up wordnet
  3. 3
    To fail to meet an obligation.; To fail to fulfill a financial obligation. intransitive

    "to default on a loan"

  4. 4
    To lose a competition by failing to compete. intransitive

    "If you refuse to wear a proper uniform, you will not be allowed to compete and will default this match."

  5. 5
    To assume a value when none was given; to presume a tentative value or standard. ambitransitive

    "If you don't specify a color, it defaults to red."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English defaut, defaute, from Old French defaute (“fault, defect, failure, culpability, lack”), ultimately from Latin de- (“away”) + fallo (“deceive, cheat, escape notice of”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English defaut, defaute, from Old French defaute (“fault, defect, failure, culpability, lack”), ultimately from Latin de- (“away”) + fallo (“deceive, cheat, escape notice of”).

See also for "default"

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