negligence Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun failure to act with the prudence that a reasonable person would exercise under the same circumstances
carelessness; nonperformance; neglect.
noun the trait of neglecting responsibilities and lacking concern
neglectfulness; neglect.

F. négligence, L. negligentia.

The quality or state of being negligent; lack of due diligence or care; omission of duty; habitual neglect; heedlessness.
An act or instance of negligence or carelessness.
remarking his beauties, ... I must also point out his negligences and defects. Blair.
(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. 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.