Emily Dickinson Lexicon

NEG-LECT', v.t. [L. neglectus, from negligo. In G. the corresponding word is nachlassen, D. nalaaten, compounds of nach, na, after, and lassen, laaten, to let, to leave, to suffer to pass, Eng. let, Fr. laisser. The sense of the latter words then is to leave behind, or permit to remain; Dan. nachlæssig, negligent. I suspect the L. negligo to be composed of the same prefix, neg for nach, and linquo, lictum, as n is not radical the latter. But of this I am not confident.]

1. To omit by carelessness or design; to forbear to do, use, employ, promote or attend to; as, to neglect duty or business; to neglect to pay honest debts; to neglect our interest or policy; to neglect the means in our power.
2. To omit to receive or embrace; to slight. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? Heb. ii.
3. To slight; not to notice; to forbear to treat with attention or respect. Among people of good breeding, strangers seldom complain of being neglected.
4. To postpone. [Not in use.] Shak.