The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Neglect \Neg*lect"\, n. [L. neglectus. See Neglect, v.]
   1. Omission of proper attention; avoidance or disregard of
      duty, from heedlessness, indifference, or willfulness;
      failure to do, use, or heed anything; culpable disregard;
      as, neglect of business, of health, of economy.
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            To tell thee sadly, shepherd, without blame,
            Or our neglect, we lost her as we came. --Milton.
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   2. Omission of attention or civilities; slight; as, neglect
      of strangers.
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   3. Habitual carelessness; negligence.
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            Age breeds neglect in all.            --Denham.
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   4. The state of being disregarded, slighted, or neglected.
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            Rescue my poor remains from vile neglect. --Prior.
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   Syn: Negligence; inattention; disregard; disesteem;
        remissness; indifference. See Negligence.
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   benign neglect A deliberate policy of minimizing public
      discussion of a controversial issue [e.g. by the
      president] on the theory that excessive discussion in
      itself is harmful or counterproductive.
      [PJC]