Decrease and Default

noun

• A change downward.
  • usage: "there was a decrease in his temperature as the fever subsided"; "there was a sharp drop-off in sales"
  • synonyms: lessening, drop-off
• A process of becoming smaller or shorter.
  • synonyms: decrement
• The amount by which something decreases.
  • synonyms: decrement
• The act of decreasing or reducing something.
  • synonyms: diminution, reduction, step-down

verb

• Decrease in size, extent, or range.
  • usage: "The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester"; "The cabin pressure fell dramatically"; "her weight fell to under a hundred pounds"; "his voice fell to a whisper"
  • synonyms: diminish, lessen, fall
• Make smaller.
  • usage: "He decreased his staff"
  • synonyms: lessen, minify

• (v.t.) To cause to grow less; to diminish gradually; as, extravagance decreases one's means.
• (v.) A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay; as, a decrease of revenue or of strength.
• (n.) To grow less, -- opposed to increase; to be diminished gradually, in size, degree, number, duration, etc. or in strength, quality or excellence; as, they days decrease in length from June to December.
• (v.) The wane of the moon.

noun

• Loss due to not showing up.
  • usage: "he lost the game by default"
• Act of failing to meet a financial obligation.
  • synonyms: nonpayment, nonremittal
• Loss resulting from failure of a debt to be paid.
  • synonyms: nonpayment, nonremittal
• An option that is selected automatically unless an alternative is specified.
  • synonyms: default option

verb

• Fail to pay up.
  • synonyms: default on

• (v.t.) To call a defendant or other party whose duty it is to be present in court, and make entry of his default, if he fails to appear; to enter a default against.
• (v.t.) To fail to perform or pay; to be guilty of neglect of; to omit; as, to default a dividend.
• (n.) Fault; offense; ill deed; wrong act; failure in virtue or wisdom.
• (n.) A failing or failure; omission of that which ought to be done; neglect to do what duty or law requires; as, this evil has happened through the governor's default.
• (v.i.) To fail in fulfilling a contract, agreement or duty.
• (v.i.) To fail in duty; to offend.
• (v.t.) To leave out of account; to omit.
• (v.i.) To fail to appear in court; to let a case go by default.
• (n.) A neglect of or failure to take, some step necessary to secure the benefit of law, as a failure to appear in court at a day assigned, especially of the defendant in a suit when called to make answer; also of jurors, witnesses, etc.

Default is a corporation or government is in default if it fails to meet the interest payments on debt securities it has issued or does not repay the principal at maturity. When the issuer defaults, the bondholders may try to recover what they're owed by making claims against the issuer's assets. There's an elaborate hierarchy for determining the order in which the claimants are paid. Similarly, if you fail to pay principal and interest that you owe on a loan, you are in default. The lender may attempt to recover the loss by claiming any property of yours that was offered as collateral, or security for the loan, or by taking other legal measures.