default

de-fault · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Failure to fulfill an obligation, especially to repay a loan.

  2. 2.

    A preselected option adopted by a computer program when no alternative is specified.

  3. 3.

    Failure to appear in court.

  4. 4.

    To fail to fulfill an obligation, especially to repay a debt.

  5. 5.

    (Computing) To revert to a preset option.

  6. 6.

    Used or chosen automatically unless an alternative is specified.

Forms

plural: defaults

Related words

See also: automatic, failure, preset
Synonyms: failure, omission, preset

Etymology

From Old French defaute meaning "fault, defect, failure," from defaillir "to fail, be lacking," composed of de- "away" and faillir "to fail."