Neg‐lect″ (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Neglected; p. pr. & vb. n.Neglecting.] [L. neglectus, p. p. of neglegere (negligere) to disregard, neglect, the literal sense prob. being, not to pick up; nec not, nor (fr. ne not + -que, a particle akin to Goth. -h, -uh, and prob. to E. who; cf. Goth. nih nor) + L. legere to pick up, gather. See No, adv., Legend, Who.] 1. Not to attend to with due care or attention; to forbear one's duty in regard to; to suffer to pass unimproved, unheeded, undone, etc.; to omit; to disregard; to slight; as, to neglect duty or business; to neglect to pay debts.
I hope
My absence doth neglect no great designs. Shak.
This, my long suffering and my day of grace,
Those who neglect and scorn shall never taste. Milton.
2. To omit to notice; to forbear to treat with attention or respect; to slight; as, to neglect strangers.
Syn. — To slight; overlook; disregard; disesteem; contemn. See Slight.