I.perf. delinquerunt, Liv. 1, 32 codd.), v. n. and a., to fail, be wanting.
I. Lit., to fail, be lacking, for the usual deficere (cf. 1. deliquium, = defectus—very rare): delinquere frumentum, Cael. ap. Serv. Verg. A. 4, 390: delinquat aut superet aliquid tibi, Tubero ib.—
II. Trop. (class.), to fail, be wanting in one's duty; to commit a fault, to do wrong, transgress, offend; and, delinquere aliquid, to commit, do something wrong.
(α).
Absol.: “QVOD POPVLVS HERMVNDVLVS HOMINESQVE POPVLI HERMVNDVLI ADVERSVS POPVLVM ROMANVM BELLVM FECERE DELIQVERVNTQVE, etc., an old formula used in declaring war,” Gell. 16, 4; cf. id. ap. Liv. 1, 32: “an quia non delinquunt viri?” Ter. Hec. 4, 4, 41: “ut condemnaretur filius aut nepos, si pater aut avus deliquisset?” Cic. N. D. 3, 38: “mercede delinquere (opp. gratis recte facere),” Sall. Hist. Fragm. 3, 61, 5 Dietsch: “in vita,” Cic. Tusc. 2, 4 fin.; cf.: “in bello miles,” id. Clu. 46; and: “hac quoque in re,” id. Inv. 2, 10, 33: “in ancilla,” Ov. M. 2, 8, 9: “deliquere homines adulescentuli per ambitionem,” Sall. C. 52, 26: “paulum deliquit amicus,” Hor. S. 1, 3, 84: “multo jam ut praestet laxitate delinquere,” Plin. 17, 12, 19, § 94.—Of errors in language, Quint. 1, 5, 49.—
(β).
With acc. respect.: “dum caveatur praeter aequum ne quid delinquat,” Plaut. Bacch. 3, 3, 14; so, “quid,” id. Men. 5, 2, 30; id. Ps. 4, 7, 129; Cic. Agr. 2, 36 fin.; Sall. C. 51, 12: “quae,” id. J. 28, 4: “quid erga aliquem,” Plaut. Ep. 3, 3, 9: “quid ego tibi deliqui?” id. Am. 2, 2, 185.—With object. acc.: “flagitia,” Tac. A. 12, 54 fin.; cf.: “multo majora deliquit,” Vulg. 2 Par. 33, 23.—Pass.: “adulterium quod pubertate delinquitur,” Dig. 48, 5, 38; cf. delictum.—Pass. impers.: “ut nihil a me adhuc delictum putem,” Cic. Att. 9, 10 fin.; Gell. 5, 4, 2.
