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. neing, 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 suffer to pass unimproved, unheeded, undone, etc.; to omit; to disregard; to slight; as, to neglect duty or business; to neglect to pay debts.

I hope My absence doth neglect no great designs. --Shak.

This, my long suffering and my day of grace, Those who neglect and scorn shall never taste. --Milton.

2. To omit to notice; to forbear to treat with attention or respect; to slight; as, to neglect strangers.

Syn: To slight; overlook; disregard; disesteem; contemn. See Slight.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

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.

To tell thee sadly, shepherd, without blame, Or our neglect, we lost her as we came. --Milton.

2. Omission if attention or civilities; slight; as, neglect of strangers.

3. Habitual carelessness; negligence.

Age breeds neglect in all. --Denham.

4. The state of being disregarded, slighted, or neglected.

Rescue my poor remains from vile neglect. --Prior.

Syn: Negligence; inattention; disregard; disesteem; remissness; indifference. See Negligence.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)