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delinquent

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The definition of delinquent is something improper or criminal in nature or something that is late in being done.

(adjective)

An example of delinquent behavior is robbing a store.
An example of delinquent is a credit card payment that should have been paid several months earlier.

A delinquent is defined as a person, especially someone young, who has done something society considers wrong or criminal.

(noun)

An example of a delinquent is a child who has stolen a car.

See delinquent in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

failing or neglecting to do what duty or law requires
☆ past the time for payment; overdue: delinquent taxes

Origin: L delinquens: see delinquency

noun

a delinquent person; esp., a juvenile delinquent

Related Forms:

delinquently adverb

See delinquent in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Failing to do what law or duty requires.
Overdue in payment: a delinquent account.

noun

A juvenile delinquent.
A person who neglects or fails to do what law or duty requires.

Origin:

Origin: Latin dēlinquēns, dēlinquent-

Origin: , present participle of dēlinquere, to offend

Origin: : dē-, de-

Origin: + linquere, to leave, abandon; see leik^w- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

de·linˈquent·ly adverb

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