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delinquency definition

de·lin·quency (di liŋ′kwən sē)

noun pl. delinquencies -·cies

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

Etymology: 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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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