remarking his beauties, . . . I must also point out his negligences
and defects.
Blair.
3. (Law) The omission of the care usual under the circumstances, being
convertible with the Roman culpa. A specialist is bound to higher skill
and diligence in his specialty than one who is not a specialist, and
liability for negligence varies acordingly.
Contributory negligence. See under Contributory.
Syn. -- Neglect; inattention; heedlessness; disregard; slight. --
Negligence, Neglect. These two words are freely interchanged in our
older writers; but a distinction has gradually sprung up between them.
As now generally used, negligence is the habit, and neglect the act, of
leaving things undone or unattended to. We are negligent as a general
trait of character; we are guilty of neglect in particular cases, or in
reference to individuals who had a right to our attentions.
Neg"li*gent (?), a. [F. négligent, L. negligens,p. pr. of negligere.
See Neglect.] Apt to neglect; customarily neglectful; characterized by
negligence; careless; heedless; culpably careless; showing lack of
attention; as, disposed in negligent order. "Be thou negligent of
fame." Swift.
He that thinks he can afford to be negligent is not far from being
poor.
Rambler.
Syn. -- Careles; heedless; neglectful; regardless; thoughtless;
indifferent; inattentive; remiss.
Neg"li*gent*ly (?), adv. In a negligent manner.
Neg"li*gi*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. négligible, négligeable.] That may
neglected, disregarded, or left out of consideration.
Within very negligible limits of error.
Sir J. Herschel.
Ne*goce" (?), n. [F. négoce. See Negotiate.] Business; occupation.
[Obs.] Bentley.
Ne*go`ti*a*bil"i*ty (? or ?), n. [Cf. F. négociabilité.] The quality of
being negotiable or transferable by indorsement.
Ne*go"ti*a*ble (? or ?), a. [Cf. F. négotiable. See Negotiate.] Capable
of being negotiated; transferable by assignment or indorsement to
another person; as, a negotiable note or bill of exchange.
Negotiable paper, any commercial paper transferable by sale or delivery
and indorsement, as bills of exchange, drafts, checks, and promissory
notes.
Ne*go"ti*ant (?), n. [L. negotians, prop. p. pr. of negotiari: cf. F.
négociant.] A negotiator. [R.] Sir W. Raleigh.
Ne*go"ti*ate (?), v. i. [L. negotiatus, p. p. of negotiari, fr.
negotium business; nec not + otium leisure. Cf. Neglect.] 1. To
transact business; to carry on trade. [Obs.] Hammond.
2. To treat with another respecting purchase and sale or some business
affair; to bargain or trade; as, to negotiate with a man for the
purchase of goods or a farm.
3. To hold intercourse respecting a treaty, league, or convention; to
treat with, respecting peace or commerce; to conduct communications or
conferences.
He that negotiates between God and man Is God's ambassador.
Cowper.