n.
Pronunciation: ni- ' glekt
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Latin neglectus, past participle of neglegere, neclegere, from nec- not (akin to ne- not) + legere to gather ― more at NO , LEGEND
Date: 1529
1 : to give little attention or respect to : DISREGARD
2 : to leave undone or unattended to especially through carelessness
– ne · glect · er noun
synonyms NEGLECT , DISREGARD , IGNORE , OVERLOOK , SLIGHT , FORGET mean to pass over without giving due attention. NEGLECT implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention <habitually neglected his studies>. DISREGARD suggests voluntary inattention < disregarded the wishes of his family>. IGNORE implies a failure to regard something obvious < ignored the snide remark>. OVERLOOK suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care <in my rush I overlooked a key example>. SLIGHT implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting < slighted several major authors in her survey>. FORGET may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind < forget what others say>.