Neg"li*gence (?), n. [F.
négligence, 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. -- 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.
