Default | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

De-fault', n.

noun

n. [O. Fr. defaulte, defaute, defaute, f., now défaut, m., Pr. defauta, It. diffalta, L. Lat. defaulta, from de and It. fallare, Sp. & Pg. faltar, to be deficient, to want, to fail, from Lat. as if falli-ture, from fallere, to deceive. See FAULT.]

Sense 1. 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.

Sense 2. Fault; offense; ill deed. “His so rash default.” Spenser.

Sense 3. Defect; want; failure; lack; destitution.

Cooks could make artificial birds and fishes in default of the real ones. Arbuthnot.

Sense 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, &c.

To suffer a default, to permit an action to be called without appearing to answer.

De-fault', v. i.

verbintransitive

[imp. & p. p. DEFAULTED; p. pr. & vb. n. DEFAULTING.]

To be wanting in duty; to offend. “That he 'gainst courtesy so fully did default.” Spenser.
To fail in fulfilling a contract or agreement; to fail to appear in court; to let a case go by default.

De-fault', v. t.

verbtransitive

To fail to perform; to be guilty of neglect of. “What they have defaulted toward him.” Milton.
(Law.) To call a defendant or other party whose duty it is to be present in court, and make an entry of his default, if he fails to appear; to enter a default against.
To leave out of account; to omit. [Rare.] “Defaulting unnecessary . . . discourses.” Hales.