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derelict Definition

der·elict (der′ə likt′)

adjective

  1. deserted by the owner; abandoned; forsaken
  2. ☆ neglectful of duty; remiss; negligent

Etymology: L derelictus, pp. of derelinquere, to forsake utterly, abandon < de-, intens. + relinquere: see relinquish

noun

  1. a property abandoned by the owner; esp., an abandoned ship on the open sea
  2. a destitute person, without a home or regular job and rejected by society
  3. land exposed by the receding of water

derelict Synonyms

derelict

modif.

  1. Abandoned

    forsaken, deserted, relinquished, neglected; see abandoned 1.

  2. Careless

    lax, remiss, negligent; see careless 1, delinquent 1, remiss. See syn. study at remiss.

derelict Synonyms

derelict

n.

social outcast, vagrant, pariah, bum*; see beggar 2, tramp 1.

derelict Law Definition

n

adj

Archaic

  1. An object that has been abandoned by its owner; an individual who is homeless, drunk or disorderly.
  2. Of property, that it is abandoned; of a person, that he is remiss in his duties.
derelict Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • lie: The preservation movement was helped by the large number of engines lying derelict in yards all over the country.
  • stand: The tower currently stands derelict covered in a thick layer of ivy in the garden of a private house.
  • become: Some land becomes derelict for prolonged periods owing to the operation of the trade cycle.
  • remain: As a result hundreds of pill boxes remain derelict in the countryside.

Modifies a noun

  • reclamation: Alec Duthie - farmers ' markets, organic production, woodland strategies, derelict land reclamation, permaculture design.
  • wasteland: Far from being a derelict industrial wasteland, the valley has many attractive features, which are greatly appreciated by local people.
  • land: Related News Stories: Tue 25th Jan 2005: Area of derelict land under Labor the size of 30,000 football pitches - Baker.
  • barn: Old Barn - A derelict barn in a good location.
  • eyesore: What was once a derelict eyesore around the smiddy " ruins " is now a productive and pleasant amenity space.
  • warehouse: The city potter probably worked in a communal workshop in a derelict warehouse, with electric kilns, making fewer one-off pieces.

Modifying Another Word

  • formerly: You can find it to the north of Northwich, on over 323 hectares of formerly derelict land.
  • virtually: Just under two years ago, the Center was virtually derelict inside an overgrown eyesore of a garden.
  • partially: The young people were unanimous in choosing Elvaston Castle; an old and partially derelict manor house, on the edge of Derby.
  • largely: By the 1930s, the North Dock which had in the previous century been the center of the town's fortunes, was largely derelict.
  • previously: To finish work on the local park restoration project by creating a new wildlife garden in a previously derelict cottage garden.

Noun used with modifier

  • semi: Over the last two years new cafés have opened, semi derelict properties have been restored, .

Used with adjective complement

  • lie: The Valley 1970 The Valley 1970 The Valley lay derelict in 1985 Picture taken by Charlton fan Ron Baker.
  • stand: The works, once new and revolutionary, now stood derelict.
  • become: Between the densely packed residential areas are little bits of land that have become derelict.

Preposition: for

  • decade: It then stood derelict for decades but has now been removed, the lock has since been filled in and grassed over.