Negligence \Neg"li*gence\, n. [F. n['e]gligence, L. negligentia.]

The quality or state of being negligent; lack of due diligence or care; omission of duty; habitual neglect; heedlessness.

2. An act or instance of negligence or carelessness.

remarking his beauties, . . . I must also point out his negligences and defects. --Blair.

3. (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.

Contributory negligence. See under Contributory.

Syn: Neglect; inattention; heedlessness; disregard; slight.

Usage: 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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)