neglect
UK[nɪˈɡlɛkt]US[nɪˈɡlɛkt]
v
To fail to give proper care or attention to someone or something.
v
To fail to do something, especially because you are careless or forgetful.
n
The fact of not giving enough care or attention to someone or something.
Morpheme Breakdown
neg
lect
neg
not
lect
gather, choose
Etymology
The word 'neglect' entered English in the early 16th century from the Latin verb 'neglegere', meaning 'to disregard' or 'to make light of'. This Latin verb is itself a compound of 'neg-' (not) and 'legere' (to gather, pick up, read). The core logic is the image of "not picking up" or "not gathering" what one should attend to. Over time, this literal sense of failing to collect or choose evolved into the modern abstract meanings of failing to care for, pay attention to, or perform a duty.
Analysis
Structure: neg (not) + lect (gather, choose)
The morpheme 'neg' originates from the Latin prefix 'neg-', a variant of 'nec-' meaning 'not'. The morpheme 'lect' comes from the Latin root 'legere' (to gather, choose, read), specifically its frequentative past participle stem 'lect-'.
Examples
He neglected his health for years, leading to serious problems.
The building had a sad, neglected appearance with peeling paint and overgrown weeds.
Her neglect of her duties resulted in a formal warning from her manager.