Is there Latin phrase for english expression "default" or "by default" or "defaulty"

Question

I was wondering if there is a stock Latin phrase in English for something that is the default, done by default, or something that exists just the way it is, something that is since always.

For example: "he likes fruits *" where * would be Latin phrase for "by default", "since always", etc. Or maybe "they are mortal enemies *", like "they are mortal enemies by default", "they are mortal enemies since always", "they are mortal enemies, it just is that way". I hope I described it clearly.

I'm looking for a phrase that you would use in modern languages, like de facto and de jure are.

Answer 1

This is a fairly common expression in law, so it is not surprising to find an attested (post-classical) Latin version: per defaltam.

de maritagio amisso per defaltam: A writ available to a tenant of a frankmarriage to regain land lost by default. — Henry Campbell Black. Law Dictionary. Ninth Edition.

It is also present in several dozen books indexed by Google Books.

Moreover, the form is close to what we find in French (par défaut) or Spanish (por defecto) for example.

Answer 2

This answer concerns writing in Latin, not using a Latin phrase within an English sentence, as that is how I construed the original question. I'm trying to adhere to classically usage or something similar enough. In a specific technical context, like law or programming, you will probably want something different.

---

For the fruit example I would suggest consuete, "in the usual manner, according to custom". This is an adverb derived from the perfect participle of the verb consuescere, and some dictionaries (at let Lewis and Short) list the adverb under the verb. See the very end of the linked entry for consuete.

In some cases the more natural choice might be to use a form of the verb itself. A direct translation of such an approach will easily sound clumsy in English, so consider recasting the whole sentence using elements Latin has to offer; translating word for word restricts you quite a bit. Another verb to consider in this context is solere.

For the enemy example this suggestion feels less apt. Perhaps it should be closer to "unless otherwise stated" than "as usual".