I want to know where the default font for X windows is set. (I use RH7.3)

What X app am I talking about? For instance, I'm talking about xterm; the default font it loads.
Why am I bothered about it? I want my aterm ( transparent with fading on un-focus; pretty cool ) to use the goddamn fonts that xterm uses. And I dont know what its name is.

Why dont I look in my ~/.Xdefaults / xrdb? There's nothing in there. Also if I try to use some nonexistent font both xterm and aterm load the font I want ( which is good ), but generate a message that says 'badfont-*** missing'.
Why do I suspect that X has a default font? 2 apps that are related in no way ( by means of a code tree ) use the same default font.

Should I tinker with xfs now? hints appreciated.

did you tried xfonsel ?

yes, I did. But that didnt help, since was looking for the name/details of a font I know by sight. I could not find it in the Xfontsel inspite of clicking on various combinations for about half an hour.