Definition of default

The word "default" originated in the 14th century from the Old French word "defaut", which means "failure" or "lack". This French word is derived from the Latin "deficere", meaning "to fall short" or "to be missing". In the context of law, the term initially referred to the failure of a party to fulfill a obligation or duty, such as failing to pay a debt or respond to a lawsuit. Over time, the term expanded to include other meanings, such as a system's or machine's falling back to a predetermined state or setting when not provided with alternative information or instructions. Today, the word "default" is widely used in many contexts, including technology, finance, and everyday conversation.