défaut French · revision 15832

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=c. 1165, Benoît de Sainte-Maure|origins=la fallō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /de.fo/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''défaut''' ''m'' (plural défauts)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It probably comes from Old French [[m|fro|defaute|t=lack, fault]] (early 12th century),^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(Larousse)^(FEW|3, 388b) itself formed from [[défaillir]] after [[faute]];^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) the Grand Robert and Petit Robert take it as the old past participle of “défaillir” “to be lacking”.^(Grand Robert 2005)^(Petit Robert 2007) The verb “faillir” is from popular Latin “*fallire”, classical [[la|fallō|t=to deceive]].^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)

+

+ Rey and Bloch and Wartburg explain that “défaut”, less common than “defaute” in the Middle Ages, prevailed because it was more clearly distinct from “faute”.^(DHLF 1992)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Benoît de Sainte-Maure (about 1165) uses it for a lack or shortage.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ From the sense of lack came the legal ''défaut'', failure to appear in court (1540), whence ''condamner par défaut'' (1573) and figuratively ''être en défaut'' (Racine, 1668);^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) in hunting it was the loss of the scent by the hounds (1561).^(TLFi) ''Au défaut de'' (1579) has given way to ''à défaut de'' “for lack of”.^(DHLF 1992) The sense “weakest point” (1652) survives in ''le défaut de la cuirasse'' “the chink in the armour”.^(DHLF 1992)^(TLFi)

+

+ From the idea of imperfection came “flaw in an object” (1357, Machaut), a physical defect (1561), a fault in a work (1585) and a moral failing (Corneille, 1651–1652, Régnier in 1608).^(TLFi)^(BHVF)^(DHLF 1992) Rey notes that ''défaut'' is a matter of being, a trait of character, where ''faute'' concerns an act.^(DHLF 1992) In computing ''par défaut'' means “by default”, and in mathematics an approximation ''par défaut'' is one below the true value.^(Wiktionary)^(Petit Robert 2007)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * Early 12th century – Old French ''defaute''.^(TLFi)

+ * c. 1165 – ''Défaut'' “lack” in Benoît de Sainte-Maure.^(TLFi)

+ * 1357 – A flaw in an object, in Machaut.^(TLFi)

+ * 1540 – Failure to appear in court.^(TLFi)

+ * 1579 – ''Au défaut de''.^(TLFi)

+ * 1608 – A moral failing, in Régnier.^(BHVF)

+ * 1652 – “Weak point”, in Rotrou.^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A lack, absence: ''défaut d'attention'', ''faire défaut'': to be lacking, ''à défaut de'': for want of.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Le Robert)

+ # A [[m|en|defect]] or [[m|en|flaw]] in something; a physical imperfection.^(Larousse)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A moral failing, shortcoming: ''la curiosité est un vilain défaut''.^(Larousse)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(law)'' Failure to appear: ''condamné par défaut''.^(GLLF 1989)^(TLFi)

+ # ''Le défaut de la cuirasse'': the chink in someone's armour.^(DHLF 1992)^(GLLF 1989)

+ # ''Par défaut'': by [[m|en|default]], ''(mathematics)'' below the true value.^(Wiktionary)^(Petit Robert 2007)

+ # ''Prendre en défaut'': to catch out.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[faillir]]

+ * [[défaillir]]

+ * [[faute]]

+ * [[en|default]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}