Neg'li-gence, n.
n. [Fr. négligence, Pr. negligenza, negligencia, Sp. negligencia, It. negligenza, negligenza, Lat. negligentia.]
- The quality of being negligent; omission of duty; habitual neglect; heedlessness.
- A negligent act; an omission of what ought to be done.
Remarking his beauties, . . . I must also point out his negligences and defects. Blair.
Synonyms—Neglect; inattention; heedlessness; disregard; slight.—NEGLIGENCE, NEGLECT. These two words are freely interchanged in our older writers; but a distinction has gradually sprung up between them. As now generally used, negligence is the habit, and neglect the act, of leaving things undone or unattended to. We are negligent as a general trait of character; we are guilty of neglect in particular cases, or in reference to individuals who had a right to our attentions. By neglecting to do what ought to be done, we soon acquire habits of negligence. A clerk's neglect of his employer's directions often deprives him of his place.
Let stubborn pride possess thee long, And be thou negligent of fame; With every muse to grace thy song, Mayst thou despise a poet's name. Swift.
Rescue my poor remains from vile neglect, With virgin honors let my hearse be decked, And decent emblem. Prior.