derelict

<font size="-1" face="arial, helvetica"> <p> <strong> <font color="#000066">Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 20, 2020 is:</font> </strong> </p> <p> <strong>derelict</strong> &#149; \DAIR-uh-likt\&nbsp; &#149; <em>adjective</em><br /> <p><strong>1 :</strong> abandoned especially by the owner or occupant; <em>also</em> <strong>:</strong> <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run-down#h2">run-down</a></p> <p><strong>2 :</strong> lacking a sense of duty <strong>:</strong> <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/negligent">negligent</a></p> </p> <p> <strong>Examples:</strong><br /> <p>"On Tuesday, crews … were busy using excavators to tear down <em>derelict</em> buildings on the two sites to make way for future construction." — <a href="https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/local/demolition-gets-ball-rolling-on-meredith-redevelopment/article_e697459b-7788-5a64-8d6f-179fb1ae01db.html">Bea Lewis, <em>The New Hampshire Union Leader</em>, 27 May 2020</a></p> <p>"But the building suffered additional roof damage in late fall, triggering an emergency demolition that rocked the preservation community and prompted anger against <em>derelict</em> landlords. It also prompted renewed efforts by the city to crack down on absentee and neglectful landlords." — <a href="https://buffalonews.com/2020/05/07/legacy-development-buys-former-adler-properties-in-downtown-buffalo-for-2-7-million/">Jonathan D. Epstein, <em>The Buffalo (New York) News</em>, 7 May 2020</a></p> </p> <p> <strong>Did you know?</strong><br /> <p>The Latin verb <em>relinquere</em>, meaning "to leave behind," left behind a few English derivatives, including <em>derelict</em>. Something derelict has been left behind, or at least appears that way. In another sense, someone who is derelict leaves behind or neglects their duties or obligations. Another descendant of <em>relinquere</em> is <em><a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relinquish">relinquish</a><