A failing, or failure; an omission of that which ought to be done; neglect to do what duty or law requires; as, this evil has happened through the governors default. A default or fault, may be a crime, a vice, or a mere defect, according to the nature of the duty omitted.

Defect; want; failure. Cooks could make artificial birds, in default of real ones.

In law, a failure of appearance in court at a day assigned, particularly of the defendant in a suit when called to make answer. It may be applied to jurors, witnesses; but a plaintiffs failing to appear by himself or attorney, is usually called a non- appearance. To suffer default, is to permit an action to be called without appearing or answering; applied to a defendant.

To fail in performing a contract or agreement.

In law, to call out a defendant, (according to common expression.) To call a defendant officially, to appear and answer in court, and on his failing to answer, to declare him in default, and enter judgement against him; as, let the defendant be defaulted. No costs are to be awarded for such town, if defaulted.

To call out a cause, in which the defendant does not appear, and enter judgment on the default; as, the cause was defaulted.

To fail in performance.

To offend.