DEFAULT, n.
1. 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.
2. Defect want failure.
Cooks could make artificial birds, in default of real ones.
3. 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, &c. 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.