Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- adjective Existing in actuality, especially when contrary to or not established by law.
from The Century Dictionary.
- In fact; in reality; actually existing, whether with or without legal or moral right: as, a government or a governor de facto.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- Actually; in fact; in reality.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adverb modal In practice; in actual use or existence, regardless of official or legal status.
- adjective In fact or in practice; in actual use or existence, regardless of official or legal status. (Often opposed to
de jure .) - noun Australia, New Zealand A legally undeclared spouse.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adverb in reality or fact
- adjective existing in fact whether with lawful authority or not
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
[Latin dē factō : dē, from, according to + factō, ablative of factum, fact.]
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
From Latin de facto, de ("from") + ablative of factum ("fact, deed, act")
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Examples
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Telofy commented on the word de facto
I just heard someone say “de facto�? in air quotes. That’s discombobulating.
Edit: Again!
October 16, 2009