negligence

Meaning

Noun

• The state of being negligent.
• The tort whereby a duty of reasonable care was breached, causing damage: any conduct short of intentional or reckless action that falls below the legal standard for preventing unreasonable injury.
• The breach of a duty of care: the failure to exercise a standard of care that a reasonable person would have in a similar situation.

Origin

• From Middle English necligence, negligence, from Old French negligence, from Latin neglegentia.