ADJECTIVE (1)

1. existing in fact whether with lawful authority or not;
- Example: "de facto segregation is as real as segregation imposed by law"
- Example: "a de facto state of war"


ADVERB (1)

1. in reality or fact;
- Example: "the result was, de facto, a one-party system"

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

De facto \De` fac"to\ [L.]
   Actually; in fact; in reality; as, a king de facto, --
   distinguished from a king de jure, or by right.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Facto \Fac"to\, adv. [L., ablative of factum deed, fact.] (Law)
   In fact; by the act or fact.
   [1913 Webster]

   De facto. (Law) See De facto.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

de facto
    adv 1: in reality or fact; "the result was, de facto, a one-
           party system"
    adj 1: existing in fact whether with lawful authority or not;
           "de facto segregation is as real as segregation imposed
           by law"; "a de facto state of war" [ant: de jure]