[The pr. pple. of FAIL v., used either with intrans. sense in concord with the following sb. or pron. (failing this = ‘if this fail’), or in trans. sense with the sb. etc. as object (failing this = ‘if one fail this’).] In default of.
1810. H. T. Colebrooke, 2. Treat. Hindu Law Inher., 225. In default of these, the heritage goes to the son of the … aunt. Or, failing him, it passes, etc.
1818. Wordsworth, in Wks. 1876, I. 241. Many must have opportunities of knowing him; or failing that intimate knowledge, we require, etc.
1843. Carlyle, Past & Pr. (1858), 123. Failing all else, what gossip about one another!
1859. Dasest, Pop. Tales Norse, Introd., p. xlv. By clinging … to some king or hero … or, failing that, to some squire’s family.
