01 n. The quality or state of being negligent; lack of due diligence or care; omission of duty; habitual neglect; heedlessness.
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1.
The quality or state of being negligent; lack of due diligence or care; omission of duty; habitual neglect; heedlessness.
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2.
An act or instance of negligence or carelessness.“remarking his beauties, . . . I must also point out his negligences and defects.” — Blair.
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3.
The omission of the care usual under the circumstances, being convertible with the Roman culpa. A specialist is bound to higher skill and diligence in his specialty than one who is not a specialist, and liability for negligence varies acordingly.(Law)
Phrases & compounds
Contributory negligence —
See under Contributory.
Syn.
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.