dɪˈfɔ:lt n. & v. --n. 1
failure to
fulfil an
obligation,
esp. to
appear, pay, or
act in
some way. 2
lack,
absence. 3 a preselected
option adopted by a
computer program
when no
alternative is specified by
the user or programmer. --v. 1 intr.
fail to fulfil an obligation, esp. to pay
money or to appear in a
lawcourt. 2 tr.
declare (a party) in default
and give judgement against that party. øgo by default 1 be ignored
because of absence. 2 be
absent. in default of because of the absence
of. judgement by default judgement
given for the
plaintiff on the defendant's failure to
plead.
win by default win because an
opponent fails to be present. [ME f. OF defaut(e) f. defaillir fail f. Rmc (as
DE-, L fallere deceive):
cf. FAIL]