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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Neglect, Negle(c)k, v. Also: negleckt, nec(g)lect, neglex; necg-, nec(k)leck, neclek(k. [e.m.E. neglect(e (1529), nec(g)lect(e (1538), L. neglect-, p.p. stem of neglegere, -ligere.]

1. tr. To take no notice of, ignore, disregard, overlook, pass over, omit (a thing, also, a person).(1) c1552 Lynd. Mon. 3826.
Geue I neglect, I wer to blame, The last sege of Jerusalem 1567 G. Ball. 32.
His scurge sé thow not neclect 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 36.
[God] will not neglect sleuthfull negligens in executioun of his commandiment Ib.
And neglect not the occasioun nor refuse not the help send to ȝow be God a1570-86 J. Maitland Maitl. F. lxxxviii. 13.
Gif thair leyis ȝe lychtlie and necglect … Thai will deny thair deling and desist 1580 Elgin Rec. I. 157. 1586 Reg. Privy C. IV. 106. 1645 Edinb. B. Rec. VIII. 71.
The counsell finding the abuse … to be neglectit and oversein be the keiper of the Sheynes 1649 Cullen Kirk S. 20 May.
The sessione finding that the weeklie lectur was neglected & dishaunted be the touns people(b) 1511 Treas. Acc. IV. 174.
For thre trigentale missis neglexit be the said dene in his last compt(c) 1533 Bell. Livy II. 23/12.
Now may we … se quhat fyne cummys of him that contempnis the goddis or neclekkis humane constitutioun and lawis 1600 M. Napier Mem. J. Napier 306.
Bot quhy neglek ye the originall pairt of the tragedie?(2) 1535 Stewart 40812.
This Edwardis sone … Neglectit wes that tyme and far put by The heretage 1667 Laing MSS. I. 363.
If thay should now be negleckted and have no alouiens provaydied for them

b. To cease to concern oneself about. 1614 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 127.
And be that doing may be tyme move the old college … to ceas and neglect the craving thairof

2. To leave unattended to or uncared for; to fail to bestow proper care on; to fail to perform (a duty or obligation).(a) 1533 Bell. Livy I. 73/21.
The rite and cerymonis of divine religioun was neclectit 1533 Boece ii. i. 58 b.
Neclectit Ib. viii. 73; etc. 1535 Stewart 46.
Neglectand c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4754.
Sic fyscheing to neglect thay wylbe laith 1561 St. A. Kirk S. 143.
Gyf thai neclect thar execucion it salbe complanit of thar parcialite and slewth 1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots I. 540.
Neglectit 1571 Ferg. Serm. iii Malachi C. ii b.
And the schuilis vtterlie neglectit and ouersene 1596 Dalr. I. 94/3. 1608 Dunferm. B. Rec. II. 47.
Untill they be overcum with drink and sua neglect thair maisteris lauberis 1667 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 237.(b) 1524 Acts II. 286/1.
Johne Duke of Albany … absentis him agane the tenour of his … office of tutory, abusand and necgleckand the samyn 1531 Bell. Boece II. 121.
Necleckit 1553 Mill Mediæv. Plays 150. 1555–6 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 232.
The … gud institution … with fars playis & gamis … neclekit and abusit a1568 Scott xxxiv. 143.
Fle fra suspek, Or than … ȝour natouris ȝe neglek, And wantis ȝour wittis fyve 1589 Prot. Bk. J. Inglis 5 Apr.
Geif he neglekis payment of the said aucht bollis victuall

b. With personal object or reflexive. 1559 Cal. Sc. P. I. 276.
[My father has written to him of the danger to him and his house if] he neclek himself 1567 G. Ball. 97.
He [God] luiffis him and will him not neclect

c. reflex. To fail to play one's proper part or apply oneself adequately, in the execution of a task. — 1566 Crail B. Ct. 11 July.
Gif [he] necleckis hyme selff in lawboryng

3. To omit or to fail, through carelessness or negligence, to do something. 1533 Boece viii. i. 247 b.
Be oure awin sleuth … we neclect to abiect the ȝoke of seruitute 1562-3 Winȝet I. 90/1. Ib. 103/28, II. 27/24.
Qvhy neclect ȝe to ministrat this haly sacrament to the seik? 1567 Sempill Sat. P. vi. 121.
Thir thingis to do, luik no way ye neglect 1648 Fam. Innes 238.
I pray yow neglect not to write to your unqil Peeter