Failure to do what law or duty requires, especially referring to criminal behavior by young people or failure to pay debts. It implies neglect of obligation or wrongdoing.
From Latin 'delinquere,' meaning 'to fail' or 'to be lacking' (de- 'away' + linquere 'to leave'). The word originally described any failure to fulfill duties, but became especially associated with youth crime and financial defaults.
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