For*get"ful*ness, n.

1.

The quality of being forgetful; prononess to let slip from the mind.

2.

Loss of remembrance or recollection; a ceasing to remember; oblivion.

A sweet forgetfulness of human care. Pope.

3.

Failure to bear in mind; careless omission; inattention; as, forgetfulness of duty.

Syn. -- Forgetfulnes, Oblivion. Forgetfulness is Anglo-Saxon, and oblivion is Latin. The former commonly has reference to persons, and marks a state of mind, and marks a state of mind; the latter commonly has reference to things, and indicates a condition into which they are sunk. We blame a man for his forgetfulness; we speak of some old custom as buried in oblivion. But this discrimination is not strictly adhered to.

 

© Webster 1913.

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