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)