What does remissness mean?
Remissness is a formal noun meaning negligence, carelessness, or a failure to perform an expected duty diligently. It is especially associated with someone who fails to act carefully, attentively, or conscientiously when circumstances require responsibility. For example, it may describe an official's failure to check important records, an employer's neglect of workplace safeguards, or a person's general laxity in meeting obligations. The word has a condemnatory, often institutional or legal tone, but it does not necessarily imply deliberate wrongdoing; it can equally describe an error caused by carelessness or inattention. In ordinary conversation, the more familiar words negligence and carelessness are usually preferred. Remissness is nevertheless useful because it focuses attention on the breach of duty involved rather than merely describing a bad outcome. Its formal register gives particular force to criticism of negligence by employers, governments, professional bodies, or courts.
nounThe failure to take proper care or to perform one's duties diligently; negligence or laxity.
- Carelessness or negligence in performing duties or fulfilling responsibilities.
"The chairman was criticized for his remissness in overlooking repeated warnings from the safety committee."
"The report attributed the delay to the remissness of the officials responsible for checking the documents."
"Her remissness in maintaining the equipment led to a warning about possible accidents."
Usually treated as uncountable; when counted, it is pluralized as remissnesses.
"The auditors identified several remissnesses in the collection and safeguarding of the records."
Remissness gives a formal name to what happens when a duty is treated as optional.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does remissness come from?
Remissness was formed in Early Modern English from the adjective remiss and the suffix -ness. Remiss comes through Latin from remittere, meaning to loosen, release, or send back, with remissus as its past participle. The same Latin root produced cognates including remit, remission, and remissible, although their modern meanings arose through separate legal, religious, and administrative developments.
How remissness is actually used
Chiefly formal, literary, or legal. In everyday speech, negligence or carelessness is more usual. The word particularly suggests a failure to meet a recognized duty.
Easily confused with remissness
Remissness means negligence or failure to fulfil a duty, whereas remission means forgiveness, reduction of a punishment, or the temporary easing of a symptom.