from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Neglect \Neg*lect"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Neglected}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Neglecting}.] [L. neglectus, p. p. of neglegere
(negligere) to disregard, neglect, the literal sense prob.
being, not to pick up; nec not, nor (fr. ne not + -que, a
particle akin to Goth. -h, -uh, and prob. to E. who; cf.
Goth. nih nor) + L. legere to pick up, gather. See {No},
adv., {Legend}, {Who}.]
1. Not to attend to with due care or attention; to forbear
one's duty in regard to; to allow to pass unimproved,
unheeded, undone, etc.; to omit; to disregard; to slight;
as, to neglect duty or business; to neglect to pay debts.
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I hope
My absence doth neglect no great designs. --Shak.
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This, my long suffering and my day of grace,
Those who neglect and scorn shall never taste.
--Milton.
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2. To omit to notice; to forbear to treat with attention or
respect; to slight; as, to neglect strangers.
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Syn: To slight; overlook; disregard; disesteem; contemn. See
{Slight}.
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