Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “delinquency” come from?

Delinquency comes from Late Latin delinquentia, derived from Latin delinquo meaning to fail or fall short, formed from the prefix de- and the root leykʷ- meaning to leave or abandon.

delinquency (English): Misconduct; A criminal offense; A debt that is...

Definitions

  1. Misconduct; A criminal offense; A debt that is...

Ancestry of “delinquency”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latindēlinquentia—
2Latindēlinquēns—
3LatindelinquoI fail in my duty; I am wanting, lacking; I...
4Latindē-—
5Latindē—
6Latinpostbehind; after, since, besides, except; behind,...
7Latinposteablative singular of postis
8Proto-Italicposti—
9Proto-Indo-Europeanpósti—
10Proto-Indo-Europeanpósafterwards, post; by, at

Words derived from “delinquency”

  • predelinquency
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pós →