a. [ L. derelictus, p. p. of derelinquere to forsake wholly, to abandon; de- + relinquere to leave. See Relinquish. ]
The affections which these exposed or derelict children bear to their mothers, have no grounds of nature or assiduity but civility and opinion. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]
They easily prevailed, so as to seize upon the vacant, unoccupied, and derelict minds of his [ Chatham's ] friends; and instantly they turned the vessel wholly out of the course of his policy. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]
A government which is either unable or unwilling to redress such wrongs is derelict to its highest duties. J. Buchanan. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Law)
n. [ L. derelictio. ]
Cession or dereliction, actual or tacit, of other powers. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]
A total dereliction of military duties. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ L. relicta, fr. of relictus, p. p. of relinquere to leave behind. See Relinquish. ] A woman whose husband is dead; a widow. [ 1913 Webster ]
Eli dying without issue, Jacob was obliged by law to marry his relict, and so to raise up seed to his brother Eli. South. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. relictus, p. p. ] (Law) Left uncovered, as land by recession of water. Bouvier. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ L. relictio a leaving behind. ] (Law) A leaving dry; a recession of the sea or other water, leaving dry land; land left uncovered by such recession. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]