Re*miss" (r?-m?s"), a. [L. remissus, p. p. of remittere to send back, relax. See Remit.]
Not energetic or exact in duty or business; not careful or prompt in fulfilling engagements; negligent; careless; tardy; behindhand; lagging; slack; hence, lacking earnestness or activity; languid; slow.
Thou never wast remiss, I bear thee witness.
Milton.
These nervous, bold; those languid and remiss.
Roscommon.
Its motion becomes more languid and remiss.
Woodward.
Syn. -- Slack; dilatory; slothful; negligent; careless; neglectful; inattentive; heedles; thoughtless.
© Webster 1913.
Re*miss", n.
The act of being remiss; inefficiency; failure.
[Obs.] "
Remisses of laws."
Puttenham.
© Webster 1913.