Derelict Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Derelict.

Derelict (noun, adjective):

1. (Noun) A person or object that has been left alone without care or attention, often causing them to become damaged or useless. Example: An old car left to rust in a field could be seen as a derelict.

2. (Adjective) Description of a condition or status in which something is abandoned, neglected, or no longer functioning. Example: A derelict building is one that has been neglected, potentially becoming unsafe and unusable.

In the context provided, it refers to an abandoned ship left to drift in the ocean, or a homeless person ignored by family and society. The word primarily carries implications of neglect and abandonment.