Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Derelict

Der′e-lict

,
Adj.
[L.
derelictus
, p. p. of
derelinquere
to forsake wholly, to abandon;
de-
+
relinquere
to leave. See
Relinquish
.]
1.
Given up or forsaken by the natural owner or guardian; left and abandoned;
as,
derelict
lands
.
The affections which these exposed or
derelict
children bear to their mothers, have no grounds of nature or assiduity but civility and opinion.
Jer. Taylor.
2.
Lost; adrift; hence, wanting; careless; neglectful; unfaithful.
They easily prevailed, so as to seize upon the vacant, unoccupied, and
derelict
minds of his [Chatham’s] friends; and instantly they turned the vessel wholly out of the course of his policy.
Burke.
A government which is either unable or unwilling to redress such wrongs is
derelict
to its highest duties.
J. Buchanan.

Der′e-lict

,
Noun.
(Law)
(a)
A thing voluntary abandoned or willfully cast away by its proper owner, especially a ship abandoned at sea.
(b)
A tract of land left dry by the sea, and fit for cultivation or use.

Webster 1828 Edition

Derelict

DERELICT

,
Adj.
[L. To leave.] Left; abandoned.

DERELICT

, n.
1.
In law, an article of goods, or any commodity, thrown away, relinquished or abandoned by the owner.
2.
A tract of land left dry by the sea, and fit for cultivation or use.

Similar Results