If something has been abandoned, you can call it derelict. Even if a person has abandoned his responsibilities, you can say that he is derelict in his duties. But don't call a lost child derelict unless, of course, he has neglected his chores.
Given up or forsaken by the natural owner or guardian; left and abandoned;
Noun
a ship abandoned on the high seas
Noun
a person unable to support himself
Adjective S.
failing in what duty requires; "derelict (or delinquent) in his duty"; "neglectful of his duties"; "remiss of you not to pay your bills"
Adjective S.
deserted or abandoned as by an owner; "a derelict ship"
a.
Given up or forsaken by the natural owner or guardian;
left and abandoned; as, derelict lands.
a.
Lost; adrift; hence, wanting; careless; neglectful;
unfaithful.
n.
A thing voluntary abandoned or willfully cast away by its
proper owner, especially a ship abandoned at sea.
n.
A tract of land left dry by the sea, and fit for
cultivation or use.
Derelict
The affections which these exposed or derelict children bear to their mothers, have no grounds of nature or assiduity but civility and opinion. Jer. Taylor. 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.Derelict
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. Given up or forsaken by the natural owner or guardian; left and abandoned;
as, .derelict landsA thing voluntary abandoned or willfully cast away by its proper owner, especially a ship abandoned at sea
Usage Examples
I have such an extreme attitude about work, where I can just completely be derelict of my responsibilities and then when I am not derelict, I am completely indulged in it. I swing pretty wildly from the two extremes.
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Other Usage ExamplesFreedom isn't free. It shouldn't be a bragging point that 'Oh, I don't get involved in politics,' as if that makes someone cleaner. No, that makes you derelict of duty in a republic. Liars and panderers in government would have a much harder time of it if so many people didn't insist on their right to remain ignorant and blindly agreeable.