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Default vs Abstain - What's the difference?

default | abstain |

In obsolete|lang=en terms the difference between default and abstain

is that default is (obsolete) fault; offence; wrong act while abstain is (obsolete) hinder; keep back; withhold .

In lang=en terms the difference between default and abstain

is that default is to lose a competition by failing to compete while abstain is deliberately refrain from casting one's vote at a meeting where one is present .

As verbs the difference between default and abstain

is that default is to fail to meet an obligation while abstain is (transitive|reflexive|obsolete) keep or withhold oneself
.

As a noun default

is (finance) the condition of failing to meet an obligation.

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

    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.
  • Anagrams

    * ----

    abstain

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (transitive, reflexive, obsolete) Keep or withhold oneself.
  • Refrain from (something); hold one's self aloof; to forbear or keep from doing, especially an indulgence of the passions or appetites.
  • * Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt? - Shakespeare, Richard II, II-i
  • (obsolete) Fast.
  • Deliberately refrain from casting one's vote at a meeting where one is present.
  • * Not a few abstained from voting. -
  • (obsolete) Hinder; keep back; withhold.
  • * Whether he abstain men from marying [sic]. -
  • Usage notes

    * (keep or withhold oneself) Followed by the word from' or ' of . * (refrain from something) Followed by the word from .

    Synonyms

    * deny oneself * forbear * forgo * give up * refrain * relinquish * withhold

    Derived terms

    * abstention

    References

    Anagrams

    *