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reckless
6 dictionary results for: reckless
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
reck·less       [rek-lis] Pronunciation Key
–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 recceléas careless (c. G ruchlos); see reck, -less]

reck·less·ly, adverb
reck·less·ness, noun

1. rash, heedless, incautious, negligent, imprudent.
1. careful.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
reck·less       (rěk'lĭs)  Pronunciation Key 
adj.  
    1. Heedless or careless.
    2. Headstrong; rash.
  1. 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).

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
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.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
reckless

adjective
1. marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences; "foolhardy enough to try to seize the gun from the hijacker"; "became the fiercest and most reckless of partisans"-Macaulay; "a reckless driver"; "a rash attempt to climb Mount Everest" [syn: foolhardy
2. characterized by careless unconcern; "the heedless generosity and the spasmodic extravagance of persons used to large fortunes"- Edith Wharton; "reckless squandering of public funds" [syn: heedless

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
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 CARELESSreck·less·ly adverb

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Reckless

Reck"less\, a. [AS. reccele['a]s, r[=e]cele['a]s.]

1. Inattentive to duty; careless; neglectful; indifferent. --Chaucer.

2. Rashly negligent; utterly careless or heedless.

It made the king as reckless as them diligent. --Sir P. Sidney.

Syn: Heedless; careless; mindless; thoughtless; negligent; indifferent; regardless; unconcerned; inattentive; remiss; rash. -- Reck"less*ly, adv. -- Reck"less*ness, n.

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