casually-abandoned
|cas-u-al-ly-a-ban-doned|
/ˈkæʒuəli əˈbændənd/
left without care
Etymology
'casually-abandoned' is a modern English compound combining 'casually' and 'abandoned'. 'Casually' derives from 'casual' + '-ly' (from French 'casuel' ultimately from Latin 'casus' meaning 'chance'); 'abandoned' comes from 'abandon' (from Old French 'abandoner').
'abandon' changed from Old French 'abandoner' (literally 'to put under one's control' or 'to give up') into Middle English as 'abandonen' and eventually the modern English verb 'abandon'; 'casual' came into English from Old French 'casuel' (from Latin 'casus') and formed the adverb 'casually' with the suffix '-ly'. The compound 'casually-abandoned' is an English-language formation using the adverb + past participle pattern to create an adjectival phrase.
Initially, 'abandon' had senses related to putting under control or giving up one's control; over time it evolved to mean 'to give up completely, to leave behind' — so 'casually-abandoned' now conveys 'left behind without care or deliberate planning.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past participle form of 'abandon' modified by 'casually' — indicating that someone/something has been abandoned carelessly.
The property was casually-abandoned by its owners during the move.
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Adjective 1
left, discarded, or neglected in a casual or careless manner; used of objects or places that have been abandoned without care or planning.
He found several casually-abandoned bikes near the station.
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Last updated: 2025/08/15 02:42