default

English Online Dictionary. What means default‎? What does default mean?

English

Etymology

From Middle English defaut, defaute, from Old French defaute (“fault, defect, failure, culpability, lack”), ultimately from Latin de- (“away”) + fallo (“deceive, cheat, escape notice of”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation):
  • (noun) IPA^(key): /dɪˈfɒlt/, /ˈdiːˌfɒlt/, /dɪˈfɔːlt/, /ˈdiːˌfɔːlt/
  • (verb) IPA^(key): /dɪˈfɒlt/, /dɪˈfɔːlt/
• (General American):
  • (noun) IPA^(key): /dɪˈfɔlt/, /ˈdiːˌfɔlt/
  • (verb) IPA^(key): /dɪˈfɔlt/
• (General American, cot–caught merger)
  • (noun) IPA^(key): /dɪˈfɑlt/, /ˈdiːˌfɑlt/
  • (verb) IPA^(key): /dɪˈfɑlt/
• Rhymes: -ɒlt, -ɔːlt

Noun

default (countable and uncountable, plural defaults)

1. (finance) The condition of failing to meet an obligation.

2. (finance) The condition of being an obligation that has not been met.

3. (electronics, computing) the original software programming settings as set by the factory
4. A loss incurred by failing to compete.

5. A selection made in the absence of an alternative.
6. (often attributive) A value used when none has been given; a tentative value or standard that is presumed.

7. (law) The failure of a defendant to appear and answer a summons and complaint.
8. (obsolete) A failing or failure; omission of that which ought to be done; neglect to do what duty or law requires.

9. (obsolete) Lack; absence.
10. (obsolete) Fault; offence; wrong act.

Derived terms

Descendants

• → Russian: дефо́лт (defólt)

Translations

Verb

default (third-person singular simple present defaults, present participle defaulting, simple past and past participle defaulted)

1. (intransitive) To fail to meet an obligation.
   1. (intransitive, law) To fail to appear and answer a summons and complaint.
   3. (intransitive, finance) To fail to fulfill a financial obligation.

      to default on a loan

2. (intransitive) To lose a competition by failing to compete.

   Synonym: forfeit

   If you refuse to wear a proper uniform, you will not be allowed to compete and will default this match.

3. (transitive, intransitive, computing) To assume a value when none was given; to presume a tentative value or standard.

Derived terms

Translations

Anagrams

• faulted

Portuguese

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from English default.

Pronunciation

Noun

default m (plural defaults)

1. (finance) default (condition of failing to meet an obligation)
2. (computing) default (original settings)
3. (computing) default (value assumed when none has been given)

Adjective

default (invariable, not comparable)

1. (computing) being a default setting or value

Spanish

Etymology

Borrowed from English default.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /deˈfolt/ [d̪eˈfol̪t̪]
• Rhymes: -olt

Noun

default m (plural defaults)

1. default