remiss
[ri-mis]
- negligent, careless, or slow in performing one's duty, business, etc.: He's terribly remiss in his work.
- characterized by negligence or carelessness.
- lacking force or energy; languid; sluggish.
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Origin of remiss
1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin remissus (past participle of remittere to send back, slacken, relax); see remit
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
culpabledelinquentderelictdilatoryforgetfulheedlessinattentiveindifferentindolentlackadaisicallaxlazyneglectfulnegligentregardlessslackslapdashslipshodsloppyslothfulExamples from the Web for remiss
Contemporary Examples
But I would be remiss if I didn't mention what gives me hope from this case.
I would be remiss not to mention David Wenham, who played Al.
And I'd be remiss not to direct you a display of animal behavior in action.
Porton: I would be remiss if I didn't ask you about your recent efforts to take Playboy private.
And yet I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the considerable controversy that your generous decision has generated.
Historical Examples
If you will pardon the offense, I will promise not to be so remiss in the future.
Jolly Sally PendletonLaura Jean Libbey
Giusippe and I have been both rude and remiss, haven't we, Giusippe?
The Story of GlassSara Ware Bassett
I was thunderstruck, and tried to think if I had been remiss in anything.
Behind the ScenesElizabeth Keckley
Be so merciful, that you be not too remiss; so execute justice, that you forget not mercy.
Coronation AnecdotesGiles Gossip
He had been remiss to the self-confessed daughter of his enemy.
The Story of a MineBret Harte
remiss
- lacking in care or attention to duty; negligent
- lacking in energy; dilatory
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Word Origin
C15: from Latin remissus from remittere to release, from re- + mittere to send
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for remiss
adj.
early 15c., "weak, dissolved," from Latin remissus "relaxed, languid; negligent," past participle of remittere "slacken, abate, let go" (see remit). Meaning "characterized by lack of strictness" is attested from mid-15c.; that of "characterized by negligence" is from mid-15c.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper