negligence

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English necligence, negligence, from Old French negligence, from Latin neglegentia. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈnɛɡlɪd͡ʒəns/ Hyphenation: neg‧li‧gence === Noun === negligence (usually uncountable, plural negligences) The state of being negligent. (law, singular only) 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. (law, uncountable) 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. ==== Usage notes ==== The breach of a duty of care is one element of the tort of negligence, but is also called negligence; one must therefore take care to clarify what is meant. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== negligent neglect endangerment ==== Translations ==== === Further reading === negligence on Wikipedia.Wikipedia == Middle French == === Noun === negligence f (uncountable) negligence (state of being negligent) ==== Descendants ==== French: négligence