PoliticsJuly 31, 2026
dereliction
DER-uh-lik-shun
Definition
The shameful failure to perform one's duty or fulfill an obligation.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'derelictio', meaning 'an abandonment,' which comes from the verb 'derelinquere' (to leave behind or forsake). It entered English in the 17th century to describe the act of deserting or abandoning one's responsibilities.
In the news
The author uses 'dereliction' to describe the failure of the German government to uphold its international legal obligations, arguing that choosing silence over justice constitutes a neglect of its duty.
Germany has lost its moral compass, as it shields Israel from sanctions and legal scrutiny
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