Der"e*lict (?), 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.

The affections which these exposed or derelict children bear to their mothers, have no grounds of nature or assiduity but civility and opinion.

2. Lost; adrift; hence, wanting; careless; neglectful; unfaithful.

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.

A government which is either unable or unwilling to redress such wrongs is derelict to its highest duties.

Der"e*lict, 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.

• Abandonded, forsaken; (of ship) abandonded at sea; dilapidated, neglected.
  
• Negligent in performing a duty.
  
• Abandonded property; a ship abandonded at sea.
  
• An abandonded or forsaken person; an outcast.
  
• A negligent person.