Default

(de-fault'.) [Fr. défaut, from de, andfaillir, to fail.] (Law.) The omi ion of any act which a party ought to do to entitle himself to a legal remedy or defence, such as non-appearance in court on a day a igned. If the plaintiff make D., he is non suited; if the defendant, judgment by D. pa es against him. Suffering judgment by D. entitles the plaintiff to i ue execution after the damages-if damages are in question have been ascertained. -A Defaulter is one who fails to account for money or securities intrusted to his charge, and hence lays himself open to a charge of embezzlement. [s. 271]