neglectfuladj.

1595 T. Lodge Fig for Momus sig. D2 Which sound rewards, since this neglectful time Repines to yeeld to men of high desart.

a1625 J. Fletcher Humorous Lieut. iii. iv, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) 133/1 Cel. And I grow peevish? Leu. You must not be neglectfull.

1644 J. Bulwer Chirologia 121 The same neglectfull carriage of his Hand.

1682 News from France 35 To free themselves from the guilt of a neglectful silence.

1729 T. Cooke Tales 205 I shall first shew in what even our best Writers..have been neglectful.

1788 Gentleman's Mag. 58 481 It cannot but appear grossly neglectful.

1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. v. iv. 422 A government at once insatiable and neglectful.

1872 E. Peacock Mabel Heron I. 24 Did you ever see anything in such a neglectful condition?

1925 W. Cather Professor's House i. xiii. 146 But you've been neglectful, Crane. You haven't taken the proper steps.

1986 J. Bauman Winter in Morning (1991) vi. 133 She dismissed my arrival with a neglectful nod, not even taking her eyes from her toenails which she was varnishing bright red.

1649 J. Milton Observations in Articles of Peace with Irish Rebels 45 In neither of those wayes neglectfull of our just defence.

1728 R. Savage Bastard 45 Lordly neglectful of a worth unknown.

1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc v. 285 Nor were our chieftains..neglectful to implore That heavenly aid.

1856 C. Merivale Hist. Romans under Empire IV. xxxviii. 354 Varus was not so neglectful of his own security.

1861 R. T. Hulme tr. C. H. Moquin-Tandon Elements Med. Zool. ii. vi. i. 292 The Head (or Common) Louse..is found on the head, in people who are neglectful of their person.

1891 T. Hardy Tess of the D'Urbervilles III. xliii. 62 I have been very wrong and neglectful in leaving everything to be done by him.

1931 Economist 21 Mar. 599/1 It reveals us as indolent, complacent,..content to ‘muddle along’, neglectful of self-help.

1949 ‘H. Robbins’ Dream Merchants 374 He followed Gordon down the steps to his car, neglectful of the rain that was falling on him.

1987 H. Pluckrose What is happening in our Primary Schools (BNC) 116 Independent schools are just as neglectful in the courses which are offered to the non-convergent child as are their state counterparts.

1989 K. Ishiguro Remains of Day (BNC) 114 I had been set a slightly extraordinary task, but I had nevertheless not been neglectful to incorporate ‘margins’ wherever possible.