/ dɪˈfɔːlt; NAmE ; ˈdiː-/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ U , C ] failure to do sth that must be done by law, especially paying a debt :
The company is in default on the loan.
Mortgage defaults have risen in the last year.
2.
[ U , C , usually sing. ] (especially computing ) what happens or appears if you do not make any other choice or change :
The default option is to save your work every five minutes.
On this screen, 256 colours is the default.
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IDIOMS
- by default
- in default of sth
■ verb [ v ]
1.
default (on sth) to fail to do sth that you legally have to do, especially by not paying a debt :
to default on a loan / debt
defaulting borrowers / tenants
2.
default (to sth) (especially computing ) to happen when you do not make any other choice or change
► de·fault·er noun :
mortgage defaulters
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French defaut , from defaillir to fail, based on Latin fallere disappoint, deceive.