Chapter Deepen to Defeat of D by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

2. Fault; offense; ill deed; wrong act; failure in virtue or wisdom.

And pardon craved for his so rash default.

Spenser.

Regardless of our merit or default.

Pope.

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.

Arbuthnot.

—

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

Default
(De*fault"), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Defaulted; p. pr. & vb. n. Defaulting.]

1. To fail in duty; to offend.

That he gainst courtesy so foully did default.

Spenser.

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

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

Default
(De*fault"), 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.

Milton.

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.

Hales.

Defaulter
(De*fault"er) n.

1. One who makes default; one who fails to appear in court when court when called.

2. One who fails to perform a duty; a delinquent; particularly, one who fails to account for public money intrusted to his care; a peculator; a defalcator.

Defeasance
(De*fea"sance) n. [OF. defesance, fr. defesant, F. défaisant, p. pr. of defaire, F. défaire, to undo. See Defeat.]

1. A defeat; an overthrow. [Obs.]

After his foes' defeasance.

Spenser.

2. A rendering null or void.