What does "neglect" mean?
Neglect: To omit to notice; to forbear to treat with attention or respect; to slight; as, to neglect strangers. See Slight.
Additional senses
- 2.Omission of proper attention; avoidance or disregard of duty, from heedlessness, indifference, or willfulness; failure to do, use, or heed anything; culpable disregard; as, neglect of business, of health, of economy. To tell thee sadly, shepherd, without blame, Or our neglect, we lost her as we came. Milton.
- 3.Omission if attention or civilities; slight; as, neglect of strangers.
- 4.Habitual carelessness; negligence. Age breeds neglect in all. Denham.
- 5.The state of being disregarded, slighted, or neglected. Rescue my poor remains from vile neglect. Prior. See Negligence.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17 · Modified: 2026-07-17