/ ˈneglɪdʒəns; NAmE / noun
[ U ] ( formal or law ) the failure to give sb/sth enough care or attention :
The accident was caused by negligence on the part of the driver.
The doctor was sued for medical negligence.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : via Old French from Latin negligentia , from the verb negligere (variant of neglegere disregard, slight, from neg- not + legere choose, pick up).