Negligence from Latin neglegere = neg- (not) + legere (to pick up), PIE *leǵ- (to gather). Literally 'failure to pick up what is owed.' Mirror twin of diligence (dis- + legere = pick up thoroughly). Same root as eclectic, collect, select, elect, intelligent, legal, lexicon, logic, lexicography.
Failure to exercise the degree of care expected of a reasonable person; habitual lack of attention or concern.
From Latin neglegentia (carelessness, disregard), from neglegens (neglectful), the present participle of neglegere (to disregard, to neglect), composed of neg- (not, the negative prefix, from PIE *ne, not) + legere (to pick up, to gather, to choose with care), from PIE *leǵ- (to collect). The PIE root *leǵ- is shared across an enormous semantic family: Latin legere (to gather, to read) gave elect, collect, diligent, elegant, intellect, and lesson; Greek légein gave logic, lexicon, and dialogue. Negligence is at its etymological heart a failure to gather — a not