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Added 9 October 2026

default

/dɪˈfɒlt/ noun

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about default at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Loss due to not showing up.
he lost the game by default
Act of failing to meet a financial obligation.
Loss resulting from failure of a debt to be paid.

verb

Fail to pay up.

Origin

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”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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