DEFAULT • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Default

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/dɪfˈɔlt/ Listen

noun

Default n.

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.

2.

Fault; offense; ill deed; wrong act; failure in virtue or wisdom. "And pardon craved for his so rash default." "Regardless of our merit or default."

3.

(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, etc.

In default of, in case of failure or lack of. "Cooks could make artificial birds and fishes in default of the real ones."

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

verb

Default v. t.

1.

To fail to perform or pay; to be guilty of neglect of; to omit; as, to default a dividend. "What they have defaulted towards him as no king."

2.

(Law) To call a defendant or other party whose duty it is to be present in court, and make entry of his default, if he fails to appear; to enter a default against.

3.

To leave out of account; to omit. (Obs.) "Defaulting unnecessary and partial discourses."

Default v. i. (past & past part. defaulted; pres. part. defaulting)

1.

To fail in duty; to offend. "That he gainst courtesy so foully did default."

2.

To fail in fulfilling a contract, agreement, or duty.

3.

To fail to appear in court; to let a case go by default.

See images of 'Default'

Etymology of 'Default'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Default" Quotes from Famous Books

... Yes; but even if there should be information, citation, decree, and verdict obtained by surprise, default, and contumacy, I have still the alternative of a conflict of jurisdiction to gain time, and a resort to the means of nullity that will be found ...

— Monsieur de Pourceaugnac • Moliere

... the Sun and West of the Moon,' etc., . . . are examples of flawless work in the pure early manner. Any less absolute and decisive revival of mediaeval form . . . rouses some sense of failure by excess or default ...

— A History of English Romanticism in the Nineteenth Century • Henry A. Beers

... the minute, and sure enough the tout came with one of the Collectorate clerks. I asked him whether it would not be possible so to manipulate the accounts of Lakhimpur, as to show that all Government revenue had been paid prior to the alleged default. The clerk at first refused to have hand in such a transaction, as it would be too risky; but when I produced my currency notes he thought the job might be attempted, and added that some of the Treasury ...

— Tales of Bengal • S. B. Banerjea

... courage, but because he was the first man holding a position of trust who did his duty to the nation. Public sentiment unmistakably demands, that, in the case of Anarchy vs. America, the cause of the defendant shall not be suffered to go by default. The proceedings in South Carolina, parodying the sublime initiative of our own Revolution with a Declaration of Independence that hangs the franchise of human nature on the kink of a hair, and substitutes for the visionary right of all men to the pursuit of happiness the more practical ...

— Atlantic Monthly Volume 7, No. 40, February, 1861 • Various

... Should all or any of the parties refuse to accept it, an appeal lies to the Central Court of Arbitration, composed of a judge of the Supreme Court sitting with two assessors representing capital and labour respectively. The trio are appointed for three years, and in default of crime or insanity can only be removed by statute. Their court may not be appealed from, and their procedure is not fettered by precedent. No disputant may employ counsel unless all agree to do ...

— The Long White Cloud • William Pember Reeves

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