from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Neglect \Neg*lect"\, n. [L. neglectus. See {Neglect}, v.]
1. 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.
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To tell thee sadly, shepherd, without blame,
Or our neglect, we lost her as we came. --Milton.
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2. Omission of attention or civilities; slight; as, neglect
of strangers.
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3. Habitual carelessness; negligence.
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Age breeds neglect in all. --Denham.
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4. The state of being disregarded, slighted, or neglected.
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Rescue my poor remains from vile neglect. --Prior.
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Syn: Negligence; inattention; disregard; disesteem;
remissness; indifference. See {Negligence}.
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{benign neglect} A deliberate policy of minimizing public
discussion of a controversial issue [e.g. by the
president] on the theory that excessive discussion in
itself is harmful or counterproductive.
[PJC]