default
noun
Default — a loss incurred not through defeat but through failure to appear
Definition
Loss due to not showing up; "he lost the game by default"
In depth
A default, in this sense, names a loss that occurs because one party failed to show up, participate, or fulfill an obligation, rather than because they were genuinely outperformed or defeated. The word carries an implicit distinction between losing through contest and losing through absence, the latter often feeling hollow or unsatisfying compared to a true competitive defeat.
Origin
The word descends from Old French defaute, a lack or failing, ultimately from Latin de- (away) and fallere (to deceive or fail). That root sense of a deficiency or lack, rather than active defeat, distinguishes a default loss from one earned through genuine competition, the outcome determined by absence rather than contest.
Usage examples
"He lost the game by default, having missed the scheduled match entirely due to a missed flight."
"The lawsuit ended in default judgment when the defendant failed to appear in court."
"Her championship title came by default after her opponent withdrew unexpectedly the night before."
How to use it
Default in this sense is common in sports, legal, and competitive writing, useful for distinguishing a loss caused by absence or failure to fulfill obligation from a loss earned through genuine, contested defeat. Writers should also note the word's separate and very common financial sense, failing to repay a debt.
Related concepts
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