remiss
adj/ɹəˈmɪs/
Etymology From Middle English remisse, remysse, from Latin remissus (“languid, negligent”), perfect passive participle of remittō (“remit”).
1
At fault; failing to fulfill responsibility, duty, or obligations.
- It would be remiss of me, in my duties, if I did not give credit where credit was due.
2
Not energetic or exact in duty or business; careless; tardy; slack; hence, lacking earnestness or activity; languid; slow.
- Thou never waſt remiſs, I bear thee witneſs:1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 21, line 240:
- Its motion becomes more languid and remiss.1695, John Woodward, “(please specify the page)”, in An Essay toward a Natural History of the Earth: And Terrestrial Bodies, Especially Minerals: […], London: […] Ric[hard] Wilkin […], →OCLC:
- Derived terms
- remissful, remissly, remissness
- Related terms
- remise