XDEFAULT, 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.

, v.t. To offend.