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RECKLESSNESS

 - 5 dictionary results

reck⋅less

  [rek-lis]
Use RECKLESSNESS in a Sentence
–adjective
1. utterly unconcerned about the consequences of some action; without caution; careless (usually fol. by of): to be reckless of danger.
2. characterized by or proceeding from such carelessness: reckless extravagance.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME rekles, OE reccelēas careless (c. G ruchlos); see reck, -less

Related forms:
reck⋅less⋅ly, adverb
reck⋅less⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. rash, heedless, incautious, negligent, imprudent.

Antonyms:
1. careful.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To RECKLESSNESS
reck·less   (rěk'lĭs)   
adj.  

    1. Heedless or careless.

    2. Headstrong; rash.

  2. Indifferent to or disregardful of consequences: a reckless driver.


[Middle English reckeles, from Old English rēcelēas; see reg- in Indo-European roots.]
reck'less·ly adv., reck'less·ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean given to or marked by unthinking boldness. Reckless suggests wild carelessness and disregard for consequences: "conceiving measures to protect the fur-bearing animals from reckless slaughter" (Getrude Atherton).
Rash implies haste, impetuousness, and insufficient consideration: "Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash" (George S. Patton).
Precipitate connotes headlong haste without due deliberation: "destroyed in a precipitate burning of his papers a few days before his death" (James Boswell).
Foolhardy implies injudicious or imprudent boldness: a foolhardy attempt to wrest the gun from the mugger.
Temerarious suggests reckless presumption: "this temerarious foeman who dared intervene between himself [the elephant] and his intended victim" (Edgar Rice Burroughs).
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

reckless 
O.E. receleas "careless, thoughtless, heedless," earlier reccileas, from -leas "-less" + *rece, recce "care, heed," from reccan "to care," from W.Gmc. *rokijanan (cf. O.N. rækja "to care for," O.H.G. giruochan "to care for, have regard to," Ger. geruhen "to deign," which is infl. by ruhen "to rest"). No known cognates outside Gmc. The same affixed form is in Ger. ruchlos, Du. roekeloos "wicked." Root verb reck (O.E. reccan) is passing into obscurity. The -k- sound is probably a northern influence from O.N. cognate roekja.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: reck·less
Function: adjective
: characterized by the creation of a substantial and unjustifiable risk to the lives, safety, or rights of others and by a conscious and sometimes wanton and willful disregard for or indifference to that risk that is a gross deviation from the standard of care a reasonable person would exercise in like circumstances reckless state of mind may be inferred from conduct> —see also involuntary manslaughter at MANSLAUGHTER reckless homicide at HOMICIDE, RECKLESSNESS —compare CARELESS —reck·less·ly adverb

Main Entry: reck·less·ness
Function: noun
: the quality or state of being reckless; also : reckless conduct —compare NEGLIGENCE
NOTE: Recklessness may be the basis for civil and often criminal liability. Unlike negligence it requires conscious disregard of risk to others.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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