/ dɪˈlɪŋkwənsi; NAmE / noun
[ U , C ] ( pl. -ies ) bad or criminal behaviour, usually of young people :
an increase in juvenile delinquency
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from ecclesiastical Latin delinquentia , from Latin delinquent- offending, from the verb delinquere , from de- away + linquere to leave.