default

DEFAULT, noun 1. A failing, or failure; an omission of that which ought to be done; neglect to do what duty or law requires; as, this evil has happened through the governors default A default or fault, may be a crime, a vice, or a mere defect, according to the nature of the duty omitted. 2. Defect; want; failure. Cooks could make artificial birds, in default of real ones. 3. In law, a failure of appearance in court at a day assigned, particularly of the defendant in a suit when called to make answer. It may be applied to jurors, witnesses, etc.; but a plaintiffs failing to appear by himself or attorney, is usually called a non-appearance. To suffer default is to permit an action to be called without appearing or answering; applied to a defendant. DEFAULT, verb intransitive To fail in performing a contract or agreement. DEFAULT, verb transitive 1. In law, to call out a defendant, (according to common expression.) To call a defendant officially, to appear and answer in court, and on his failing to answer, to declare him in default and enter judgement against him; as, let the defendant be defaulted. No costs are to be awarded for such town, if defaulted. 2. To call out a cause, in which the defendant does not appear, and enter judgment on the default; as, the cause was defaulted. 3. To fail in performance. DEFAULT, verb transitive To offend.