inadvertence
UK: ˌɪnədˈvɜːtəns | US: ˌɪnədˈvɜːrtəns
n. the quality or state of being inadvertent; lack of attention or carelessness
n. an unintentional oversight or mistake
inadvertence = in<not> + advert<turn attention> + ence<noun suffix>
- in-: Prefix meaning "not" (from Latin in-).
- advert: Root derived from Latin advertere ("to turn toward"), combining ad- (to) + vertere (to turn). In English, it implies "attention" (as in advertise or advert).
- -ence: Noun suffix indicating a state or quality (from Latin -entia).
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin inadvertentia, blending in- (negation) with advertere (to notice). Over time, advert evolved to connote attention, while -ence solidified the abstract noun form. The term captures the idea of "not turning one's attention," logically extending to "unintentional neglect."
The error was due to sheer inadvertence, not malice.
His inadvertence caused him to miss the critical deadline.
The contract’s loophole was a result of legal inadvertence.
She apologized for her inadvertence in overlooking the email.
Inadvertence in safety checks can lead to serious accidents.