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delinquency

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Delinquency is defined as failing to follow the law, or an overdue debt.

(noun)

An example of a delinquency is stealing from a store.
An example of a delinquency is not paying your credit card bill on time.

The definition of delinquency is relating to not following the law.

(adjective)

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

See delinquency in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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: LL delinquentia < L delinquens, prp. of delinquere, to leave undone, commit a fault < de-, from + linquere, to leave < IE base *leikw-, to leave > Gr leipein, to leave, OE læn, loan

See delinquency in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. de·lin·quen·cies

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

adjective

Of or relating to juvenile delinquency: delinquency problems.

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