default
default — 名詞
1. a preset value or selection that a machine, computer, or system uses when a pers
預設值；預設
系統或機器未經選擇自動使用的值或設定
a preset value or selection that a machine, computer, or system uses when a person does not choose a different one; the thing that happens automatically if no other action is taken.
Sirin changed the printer's default from colour to black-and-white to save ink.
Sirin 將印表機的預設值從彩色改成黑白，以節省墨水。
possessive noun + default as countable noun
The default on this phone is to lock the screen after thirty seconds of inactivity.
這支手機的預設設定是閒置三十秒後自動鎖定螢幕。
When Yasmin opened a new online account, the system set a default privacy level that she could adjust later.
Yasmin 開立新的線上帳戶時，系統設定了一個她日後可以調整的預設隱私等級。
Hari restored the factory defaults on his tablet to fix the error.
Hari 將平板電腦恢復成原廠預設值，以修復錯誤。
- custom setting
a setting chosen by the user rather than the pre-programmed one
文法句型
the default + noun
by default
用法筆記
Very common in computing contexts. When used in the plural (defaults), it often refers to the original factory settings of a device.
常見錯誤
2. a situation in which a person, company, or country fails to meet a legal or fina
違約；未履行
未履行合約或法律義務，尤其未償還債務
a situation in which a person, company, or country fails to meet a legal or financial duty, especially not repaying borrowed money when it is due.
The company was in default on its loan payments for over six months.
該公司已有六個多月拖欠貸款。
in default on + noun phrase
Christopher faced a lawsuit after the mortgage default on his apartment.
Christopher 因公寓房貸違約而遭到起訴。
Samir read that the bank reported a rise in defaults on restaurant loans after the new safety rules took effect.
Samir 得知銀行通報新安全規定生效後，餐廳貸款的違約案件有所增加。
Aylin sold her car to avoid a default and keep up with the loan.
Aylin 賣掉車子以避免違約，繼續按時償還貸款。
- non-payment
more specific — focuses only on the failure to pay, not other legal duties
- delinquency
formal term, especially US finance, for being late on payments
- repayment
the act of paying back borrowed money
- fulfillment
meeting the terms of a contract or agreement
文法句型
in default
default on + noun (debt/loan/mortgage)
be in default
用法筆記
Commonly appears in financial and legal contexts. The most frequent pattern is default on a loan/mortgage/debt, or the phrase in default. A person or institution that defaults is called a defaulter.
常見錯誤
3. the original or built-in condition of a device or system as it comes from the fa
初始設定
出廠或安裝時預先設定的原始狀態與安排
the original or built-in condition of a device or system as it comes from the factory or when first installed, which stays unchanged unless a person chooses to modify it.
The default position of the control lever is upright, which stops the motor.
控制桿的預設位置是直立狀態，此時馬達會停止運轉。
default position + explanation via relative clause
Eri prefers to read with the default font size rather than changing the display.
Eri 偏好使用預設字體大小閱讀，而不是更改顯示設定。
Jisoo's video-editing app sets sixty frames per second as the default frame rate for new projects.
Jisoo 的影片剪輯應用程式將新專案的預設影格率設為每秒六十幀。
The map app shows the default route, but you can pick a faster road instead.
地圖應用程式會顯示預設路線，但你可以選擇較快的道路。
文法句型
default + noun (setting/position/mode/option)
用法筆記
Always placed before the noun it modifies (default setting, default mode, default behaviour). This attributive use is very productive — you can combine default with almost any noun that describes a configurable state.
4. a result in which a competitor wins or loses because the opponent did not take p
對手棄權
因對手未參賽或未完成比賽而自動獲勝或落敗
a result in which a competitor wins or loses because the opponent did not take part in the match, did not finish it, or was removed for breaking the rules.
Chidi won the chess tournament by default when his final opponent did not arrive.
Chidi 因決賽對手未到場，不戰而勝贏得西洋棋錦標賽。
by default as adverbial phrase
The tennis match ended by default after a player twisted her ankle.
那場網球比賽因一名選手扭傷腳踝而由對手棄權定勝負。
Sofie's team lost the final by default because three members missed their flight.
Sofie 的隊伍因三名隊員錯過航班而無法參賽，最終以棄權輸掉決賽。
The runner won the gold medal by default after the leader was disqualified.
那位跑者因領先者被取消資格，不戰而勝獲得金牌。
- contest
a match that is actually played
- decided on points
determined by actual competition rather than absence
文法句型
by default
win/lose by default
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase by default. You can win or lose by default. Outside sports, by default also has a general meaning: 'because nothing else was chosen or happened' (e.g., He became the leader by default when everyone else quit.)
常見錯誤
default — 動詞
1. to not do something that a contract or the law requires you to do, particularly
拖欠；違約
未履行合約或法律義務，尤其未還借款
to not do something that a contract or the law requires you to do, particularly to fail to repay money that you have borrowed from a bank, lender, or other institution.
Reuben defaulted on his student loan after he lost his job at the factory.
Reuben 在工廠失業後，拖欠了就學貸款。
defaulted on + loan
If a borrower defaults, the bank can take possession of the house.
如果借款人違約，銀行可以接管該房屋。
conditional clause + default as intransitive verb
The couple had never defaulted on a payment until the medical emergency came.
這對夫婦在發生醫療緊急狀況之前，從未拖欠過任何款項。
Gabriel tried to sell his car rather than default on the loan agreement.
Gabriel 試圖賣掉車子，而不是讓貸款違約。
- fail to pay
more general; can apply to any bill, not just legal obligations
- be delinquent on
formal US term for being late on a payment
文法句型
default on + noun (debt/loan/mortgage/payment)
default + on + noun
用法筆記
The most common structure is default on + a financial obligation (loan, mortgage, debt, payment). Without on, the verb is used intransitively: If the borrower defaults, the lender can take action.
常見錯誤
2. in a sport or contest, to give the victory to the other side by choosing not to
棄權；退賽
因未參賽或未能完成比賽而讓對手自動獲勝
in a sport or contest, to give the victory to the other side by choosing not to take part or by being unable to finish the match.
Olivia had to default from the semi-finals because of a knee injury.
Olivia 因為膝蓋受傷，不得不從準決賽中退賽。
default from + competition
The defending champion defaulted in the first round without giving a reason.
衛冕冠軍未說明原因就在第一輪棄權。
Tyler had to default from the regional swimming finals when he came down with a fever the night before.
Tyler 在區域游泳決賽前一晚發燒，不得不退賽。
Manuela decided to default from the race rather than run with a fever.
Manuela 決定在發燒的情況下退出比賽，而不是冒險參賽。
- withdraw
can be voluntary; default often implies a penalty or disappointment
- pull out of
informal phrasal verb, more common in everyday speech
文法句型
default (from/in) + competition
default + noun (match/game) — rare
用法筆記
This verb is much less common than the noun sense in sports contexts. Most speakers say 'win/lose by default' (noun) rather than 'default' (verb). In journalism, default from a tournament is the standard pattern.