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.