[dee fak-toh, dey] 
| 1. | in fact; in reality: Although his title was prime minister, he was de facto president of the country. Although the school was said to be open to all qualified students, it still practiced de facto segregation. |
| 2. | actually existing, esp. when without lawful authority (distinguished from de jure ). |
| 3. | Australian. a person who lives in an intimate relationship with but is not married to a person of the opposite sex; lover. |
| de fac·to (dĭ fāk'tō, dā) adv. In reality or fact; actually. adj.
[Latin dē factō : dē, from, according to + factō, ablative of factum, fact.] |