neglegere

Neglegere is a Latin verb of the third conjugation meaning to neglect, disregard, or pay little attention to something. It can also convey slighting or failing to notice a person, duty, or obligation. In classical usage it is typically transitive, governing a direct object in the accusative (for example, rem neglegere = to neglect the matter; officium neglegere = to neglect the duty).

Etymology and form: The verb is formed from the prefix ne- (not) combined with legere, the root meaning to gather, choose, or read. The sense shift over time produced a nuance of failing to attend to or to regard, hence neglect. The standard lexical presentation uses the principal parts neglego, neglegere, neglexi, neglectum, with neglegere as the present infinitive.

Usage notes: Neglegere occurs with a range of objects, from concrete duties to abstract concerns. It expresses a lack of attention or care rather than necessarily deliberate harm. In Latin literature the verb appears with ordinary tense forms; perfect forms like neglexi indicate completed neglect, while present forms indicate ongoing neglect.

Conjugation (illustrative forms): Principal parts are neglego, neglegere, neglexi, neglectum. Present indicative: neglego, neglegis, neglegit, neglegimus, neglegitis, neglegunt. Imperfect: neglegebam, neglegebas, neglegebat, neglegebamus, neglegebatis, neglegebant. Perfect: neglexi, neglexisti, neglexit, negleximus, neglexistis, neglexerunt.

Cognates and influence: English derivatives such as negligent, negligence, and negligible derive from Latin neglegere or its participial forms (negligentia, neglegens) through Old French and Middle English, reflecting the same root concept of carelessness or neglect.

See also: Latin verb conjugation, Latin legal and moral vocabulary, etymology of negligence terms.

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