adj.
- in a very poor condition as a result of disuse and neglect.
- chiefly N. Amer. shamefully negligent.
n.
- a destitute person.
- a ship or other piece of property abandoned by its owner.
Etymology
C17: from L. derelict-, derelinquere ‘abandon’, from de- ‘completely’ + relinquere ‘forsake’.
