Derelict word meaning and definition

[noun] a ship abandoned on the high seas
[noun] a person unable to support himself
[adjective] failing in what duty requires; "derelict (or delinquent) in his duty"; "neglectful of his duties"; "remiss of you not to pay your bills"
[adjective] deserted or abandoned as by an owner; "a derelict ship"

\Der"e*lict\, a. [L. derelictus, p. p. of derelinquere to forsake wholly, to abandon; de- + relinquere to leave. See {Relinquish}.] 1. Given up or forsaken by the natural owner or guardian; left and abandoned; as, derelict lands. The affections which these exposed or derelict children bear to their mothers, have no grounds of nature or assiduity but civility and opinion. --Jer. Taylor. 2. Lost; adrift; hence, wanting; careless; neglectful; unfaithful. They easily prevailed, so as to seize upon the vacant, unoccupied, and derelict minds of his [Chatham's] friends; and instantly they turned the vessel wholly out of the course of his policy. --Burke. A government which is either unable or unwilling to redress such wrongs is derelict to its highest duties. --J. Buchanan.
\Der"e*lict\, n. (Law)
(a) A thing voluntary abandoned or willfully cast away by its proper owner, especially a ship abandoned at sea.
(b) A tract of land left dry by the sea, and fit for cultivation or use.

Morse code: -.. . .-. . .-.. .. -.-. -