nonfeasance

[ non-fee-zuhns ]

noun

, Law.

1. the omission of some act that ought to have been performed. Compare malfeasance, misfeasance ( def 2 ).

nonfeasance

/ ˌnɒnˈfiːzəns /

noun

1. law a failure to act when under an obligation to do so Compare malfeasance misfeasance

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonfeasance¹

1590–1600; non- + obsolete feasance; malfeasance

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonfeasance¹

C16: from non- + feasance (obsolete) performing or doing, from French faisance, from faire to do, from Latin facere

Example Sentences

But he does not address his malign neglect of the al Qaeda threat—nonfeasance that proved deadly.

From The Daily Beast

It was settled that assumpsit would lie for a mere omission or nonfeasance.

From Project Gutenberg

More important was the nonfeasance of the Inquisition with respect to simony.

From Project Gutenberg