Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Negligence
Neg′li-gence
,Noun.
[F.
négligence
, L. negligentia
.] 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)
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. Webster 1828 Edition
Negligence
NEGLIGENCE
,Noun.
1.
Neglect; omission to do; more generally, 2.
Habitual omission of that which ought to be done, or a habit of omitting to do things, either from carelessness or design. Negligence is usually the child of sloth or laziness, and the parent of disorders in business, often of poverty.