dereliction Hear it!

dereliction definition

der·elic·tion (der′ə lik′s̸hən)

noun

  1. Now Rare an abandoning or forsaking
  2. Now Rare the state of being abandoned or forsaken
  3. a neglect of, or failure in, duty; a being remiss
  4. Law the gaining of land from water by the gradual retreat of the sea below the usual watermark

Etymology: L derelictio: see derelict

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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