WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Neg"li*gence
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F. n?gligence, L. negligentia.]
Definition : Defn: The quality or state of being negligent; lack of due diligence or care; omission of duty; habitual neglect; heedlessness.

2. An act or instance of negligence or carelessness. remarking his beauties, ... I must also point out his negligences and defects. Blair.

3. (Law)

Defn: 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. 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913