neglect
/nɪˈɡlɛkt/To fail to care for or attend to someone or something properly, often resulting in harm or deterioration.
The child was neglected by his parents, leading to emotional and physical harm.
The garden was neglected, and the plants withered without proper care.
Neglect can be intentional or unintentional, and it often implies a breach of responsibility or duty.
The state of being uncared for or ignored, often leading to negative consequences.
The neglect of public infrastructure has led to widespread decay.
His neglect of his health resulted in serious medical complications.
Neglect as a noun can refer to the act or the condition of being neglected.
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💡Pro Tip
Distinguish between 'neglect' and 'ignore'
'Neglect' implies a failure to care for or attend to someone or something, often with harmful consequences, while 'ignore' simply means to refuse to notice or acknowledge something.
⚡Gold Rule
Legal implications of neglect
In legal contexts, neglect can have serious consequences, such as child neglect leading to removal of a child from the home or neglect of duty leading to professional sanctions.
📖Word Origin
From Middle English *neglekten*, from Old French *negleger*, from Latin *neglegere* (to disregard), from *ne-* (not) + *legere* (to gather, choose).
📝Usage Notes
Neglect is often used in legal, medical, and social contexts to describe a failure to provide adequate care or attention. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the deterioration of objects or systems due to lack of maintenance.