reckless abandonment

[ rek-lis uh-ban-duhn-muhnt ]

noun

, Law.

1. the crime of deliberately and permanently leaving a child alone and in a condition or situation that leads to the child’s death.

Confusables Note

Reckless abandonment and reckless abandon both involve being reckless and abandoning someone or something, but they are quite different. Reckless abandonment is the serious crime of abandoning or deserting a child in circumstances that result in the child’s death; it is reckless because it indicates a total disregard for the welfare of a helpless or dependent person and for the consequences of one’s actions towards that person. Reckless abandon, on the other hand, is an attitude of abandoning or throwing off one’s inhibitions and giving oneself up to a passion or enthusiasm for something. It is reckless because no attention is paid to possible cost, the opinions of others, or the assumed rules of “sensible” behavior.

Word History and Origins

Origin of reckless abandonment¹

First recorded in 1820–30, for an earlier sense

Example Sentences

He had kept them controlled so long and so sternly, that now they came tumbling out with reckless abandonment.

From Project Gutenberg

The watchfulness of a ferocious creature dogged and all but trapped gave way to reckless abandonment, bravado and audacity.

From Project Gutenberg

She cast herself into an arm-chair with a reckless abandonment, and cried bitterly.

From Project Gutenberg

It seemed to have been spent in alternate feverish struggles and reckless abandonment to impulse.

From Project Gutenberg