default [ di fáwlt ] noun (plural defaults)
Definition:
1. preset option: an option that will automatically be selected
by a computer if the user does not choose one
2. failure to do something: a failure to meet an obligation, especially a financial
one
3. law nonappearance in court: a failure to make a summoned court appearance
4. sports nonparticipation in competition: a failure to appear for or complete
a competition
intransitive verb (3rd person present singular defaults, present participle defaulting, past and past participle defaulted)
Definition:
1. FAIL to pay debt: to fail to pay a debt or other financial obligation
2. LAW fail to appear in court: to fail to make an appearance in court although
summoned to do so
3. SPORTS fail to compete: to fail to appear for a match or contest
4. COMPUT use preset option: to use a device, command,
or file when no other is specified
[13th century. < Old French defaute, past participle of defaillir 'fail' < faillir
(see fail)]
by default
1. having come about because some other thing, often something expected, did not happen
2. having come about because somebody failed to appear as expected
3. according to a computer's preset configuration
in default of something or somebody because of a lack of something or the absence of somebody (formal)