{ In`ad*vert"ence (?); pl. -ces (&?;), In`ad*vert"en*cy (?); pl. - cies (&?;), } n. [Cf. F. inadvertance.]

1. The quality of being inadvertent; lack of heedfulness or attentiveness; inattention; negligence; as, many mistakes proceed from inadvertence.

Inadvertency, or want of attendance to the sense and intention of our prayers.

2. An effect of inattention; a result of carelessness; an oversight, mistake, or fault from negligence.

The productions of a great genius, with many lapses an inadvertencies, are infinitely preferable to works of an inferior kind of author which are scrupulously exact.

Syn. -- Inattention; heedlessness; carelessness; negligence; thoughtlessness. See Inattention.

• inadvertence or heedlessness