Derelict

a. [Lat. derelictus, p. p. of derelinquere, to forsake wholly, to abandon, from de and relinquere, to leave. See RELINQUISH.] 1. Given up or forsaken by the natural owner or guardian; left and abandoned. The affections, which these exposed or derelict children bear to their mothers, have no grounds of nature or assiduity but civility and opinion. Sp. Taylor. 2. Abandoning responsibility; unfaithful. Burke.

n. (Law.) (a.) A thing voluntarily abandoned or utterly forsaken by its proper owner. (b.) A tract of land left dry by the sea, and fit for cultivation or use.