Remiss
/rɪˈmɪs/noun
Lax, careless, or negligent in performing a duty.
Did you know?In Latin, remissus meant not just “lax” but literally “sent back” or “relaxed,” and English kept the sense of failing to apply the force or attention something demanded.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
remissus
“sent back, relaxed, slackened”
Late Latin
Latin
remissus
“lax, negligent, not strict”
Old French
Old French
remis
“relaxed, slack, negligent”
14th Century
English
remisse
“lax, careless, negligent”
Modern English
English
remiss
“careless, negligent in duty”