n. (pl. -ies) 1 a a crime, usu. not of a serious kind; a misdeed. b minor crime in general, esp. that of young people (juvenile delinquency). 2 wickedness (moral delinquency; an act of delinquency). 3 neglect of one's duty.
[ eccl. L delinquentia f. L delinquens part. of delinquere (as DELICT) ]