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Default vs Delay - What's the difference?

default | delay |

In obsolete terms the difference between default and delay

is that default is fault; offence; wrong act while delay is to assuage, quench, allay.

As nouns the difference between default and delay

is that default is the condition of failing to meet an obligation while delay is a period of time before an event occurs; the act of delaying; procrastination; lingering inactivity.

As verbs the difference between default and delay

is that default is to fail to meet an obligation while delay is to put off until a later time; to defer.

default

English

(wikipedia default)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (finance) The condition of failing to meet an obligation.
    • He failed to make payments on time and is now in default .
    You may cure this default by paying the full amount within a week.
  • (electronics, computing) the original software programming settings as set by the factory
  • A loss incurred by failing to compete.
    • The team's three losses include one default .
  • A selection made in the absence of an alternative.
    • ''The man became the leader of the group as a default .
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=December 15 , author=Felicity Cloake , title=How to cook the perfect nut roast , work=Guardian citation , page= , passage=One of the darlings of the early vegetarian movement (particularly in its even sadder form, the cutlet), it was on the menu at John Harvey Kellogg's Battle Creek Sanitarium [sic], and has since become the default Sunday option for vegetarians – and a default source of derision for everyone else.}}
  • (often, attributive) A value used when none has been given; a tentative value or standard that is presumed.
    • If you don't specify a number of items, the default is 1.
  • (legal) The failure of a defendant to appear and answer a summons and complaint.
  • (obsolete) A failing or failure; omission of that which ought to be done; neglect to do what duty or law requires.
    • This evil has happened through the governor's default .
  • (obsolete) Fault; offence; wrong act.
  • * Spenser
    • And pardon craved for his so rash default .
  • * Alexander Pope
    • regardless of our merit or default

    Related terms

    * by default

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To fail to meet an obligation.
    • If you do not make your payments, you will default on your loan.
  • To lose a competition by failing to compete.
    • If you refuse to wear a proper uniform, you will not be allowed to compete and will default this match.
  • (computing) To assume a value when none was given; to presume a tentative value or standard.
    • If you don't specify a number of items, it defaults to 1.
  • (legal) To fail to appear and answer a summons and complaint.

    • Related terms

    * by default * default on * in default

    Anagrams

    * ----

    delay

    English

    (wikipedia delay)

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) . More at let (to hinder), late, leave.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To put off until a later time; to defer.
  • * Bible, (w) xxiv. 48
    • My lord delayeth his coming.
  • To retard; to stop, detain, or hinder, for a time.
  • *
    • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=10 , passage=Mr. Cooke had had a sloop?yacht built at Far Harbor, the completion of which had been delayed , and which was but just delivered. […] The Maria had a cabin, which was finished in hard wood and yellow plush, and accommodations for keeping things cold.}}
  • (label) To allay; to temper.
  • * (Edmund Spenser) (c.1552–1599)
    • The watery showers delay the raging wind.
    Usage notes
    * This is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing) . See
    Synonyms
    * See also * adjourn * defer * forslow * postpone * put off * put on ice * suspend

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A period of time before an event occurs; the act of delaying; procrastination; lingering inactivity.
    • the delay before the echo of a sound
  • * Bible, Acts xxv. 17
    • Without any delay , on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat.
  • * Macaulay
    • The government ought to be settled without the delay of a day.

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To dilute, temper.
  • (obsolete) To assuage, quench, allay.
  • * 1590 , (Edmund Spenser), The Faerie Queene , III.12:
    • Those dreadfull flames she also found delayd / And quenched quite like a consumed torch […].

    External links

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    Anagrams

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