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inadvertence

[in-uh d-vur-tns]
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noun
  1. the quality or condition of being inadvertent; heedlessness.
  2. the act or effect of inattention; an oversight.
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Origin of inadvertence

From the Medieval Latin word inadvertentia, dating back to 1560–70. See inadvertency, -ence
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for inadvertence

Historical Examples

  • Say it was a mistake on your part,—an inadvertence,—and done without my knowledge.

    Roland Cashel

    Charles James Lever

  • I had, in a moment of inadvertence, created for myself a tie.

    Victory

    Joseph Conrad

  • This word escaped Schomberg by inadvertence at which he became frightened.

    Victory

    Joseph Conrad

  • Here, again, we have to regret and remark the inadvertence of youth.

  • The least inadvertence may rob us of the public favor so hard to be acquired.

    The Loyalist

    James Francis Barrett

British Dictionary definitions for inadvertence

inadvertence

inadvertency

noun
  1. lack of attention; heedlessness
  2. an instance or an effect of being inadvertent; oversight; slip
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for inadvertence

n.

mid-15c., from Middle French inadvertance (14c.), from Scholastic Latin inadvertentia, from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + advertentia, from Latin advertere "to direct one's attention to," literally "to turn toward" (see advertise).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper