in default of (something)

in default of (something)

Due to the absence or lack of something; through the failure of something. Though it was only a speeding ticket, Janet was imprisoned in default of paying the fine. In default of concrete evidence, the jury was obligated to acquit the defendant of murder.See also: default, of

in default of

Through the failure, absence, or lack of, as in In default of a better solution, we'll have to make do with this one. This term was originally put as for default of, but John Gower had the current wording in Confessio Amantis (1397): "The fish, if it be dry, might in default of water die." [Late 1200s] See also: default, of

in deˈfault of something

(formal) because of a lack of something: They accepted what he had said in default of any evidence to disprove it.See also: default, of, something

in default of

Through the failure, absence, or lack of.See also: default, of