The quality of being dangerously careless, not caring about consequences or the safety of yourself or others.
From Old English 'reccan' meaning 'to care' with the prefix 'less,' literally meaning 'without caring.' The word has meant heedless or careless since the 1300s.
Insurance companies can actually deny claims if they prove someone acted with 'recklessness' rather than just ordinary negligence—it's a legal term that separates thoughtful mistakes from truly dangerous choices!
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