a. [ L. derelictus, p. p. of derelinquere to forsake wholly, to abandon; de- + relinquere to leave. See Relinquish. ] 1. Given up or forsaken by the natural owner or guardian; left and abandoned; as, derelict lands. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

2. Lost; adrift; hence, wanting; careless; neglectful; unfaithful. [ 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) (a) A thing voluntary abandoned or willfully cast away by its proper owner, especially a ship abandoned at sea. (b) A tract of land left dry by the sea, and fit for cultivation or use. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. derelictio. ] 1. The act of leaving with an intention not to reclaim or resume; an utter forsaking abandonment. [ 1913 Webster ]

Cession or dereliction, actual or tacit, of other powers. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A neglect or omission as if by willful abandonment. [ 1913 Webster ]

A total dereliction of military duties. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The state of being left or abandoned. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Law) A retiring of the sea, occasioning a change of high-water mark, whereby land is gained. [ 1913 Webster ]