Delinquency dictionary definition | delinquency defined

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delinquency

[di liŋ′kwən sē]

Use delinquency in a sentence

adjective

The definition of delinquency is relating to not following the law.
An example of delinquency used as an adjective is in the phrase "delinquency problems," which means problems with not following the law.

noun

Delinquency is defined as failing to follow the law, or an overdue debt.
1. An example of a delinquency is stealing from a store.
2. An example of a delinquency is not paying your credit card bill on time.

delinquency

noun

pl. delinquencies

failure or neglect to do what duty or law requires
☆ an overdue debt, tax, etc.
a fault: misdeed
☆ behavior, esp. by the young, that is antisocial or in violation of the law

Origin of delinquency

Late Latin delinquentia ; from Classical Latin delinquens, present participle of delinquere, to leave undone, commit a fault ; from de-, from + linquere, to leave ; from Indo-European base an unverified form leikw-, to leave from source Classical Greek leipein, to leave, Old English læn, loan

delinquency

noun

pl. de·lin·quen·cies

Juvenile delinquency.
Failure to do what law or duty requires.
An offense or misdemeanor; a misdeed.
A debt or other financial obligation on which payment is overdue.

adjective

Of or relating to juvenile delinquency: delinquency problems.

delinquency

Noun

(plural delinquencies)

Origin

Latin dēlinquentia, from dēlinquēns.

delinquency - Legal Definition

n

A failure, by act or omission, to perform a legal or contractual obligation.
an unpaid amount due.

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Sentence Examples

On the 17th of January he was named on the commission for law reform, of which Hale was the chief; and on the 17th of March 1653, he was pardoned of all delinquency and thus at last made capable of sitting in parliament.
He was accused by the archbishop of Armagh of serious moral delinquency, and his recall was demanded both by the primate and the bishop of Meath.
Any delinquency involved a trial before the Heliaea.
By contrast, these and other factors covered by the study could not explain the difference between boys and girls in serious delinquency.
Children in such communities are at lower risk of teen pregnancy, child abuse, drug use or juvenile delinquency.

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