derelict

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 9, 2008 is: derelict • \DAIR-uh-likt\ • adjective 1 : abandoned especially by the owner or occupant : run-down 2 : lacking a sense of duty : negligent Examples: In letting the children stay up late into the night, watching television, the babysitter was derelict in her duty. Did you know? The Latin verb "relinquere" left behind a few English derivatives. This word, itself meaning "to leave behind," is the root of our "derelict." Something derelict has been left behind, or at least appears that way. In another sense, someone derelict leaves behind or neglects his or her duties or obligations. Another descendent of "relinquere" is "relinquish," meaning "to leave behind," "to give up," or "to release." "Relic" is another example of a word that ultimately comes from "relinquere." "Relics," in the original sense of the term, referred to things treasured for their association with a saint or martyr -- that is, objects saints and martyrs had left behind. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.