Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DE-FAULT', v.t.

1. In law, to call out a defendant [according to the common expression]. To call a defendant officially, to appear and answer in court, and on his failing to answer, to declare him in default, and enter judgment against him; as, let the defendant be defaulted. No costs are to be awarded for such town, if defaulted. – Mass. Laws.
2. To call out a cause, in which the defendant does not appear, and enter judgment on the default; as, the cause was defaulted.
3. To fail in performance. – Milton.