Is there a single word for when something becomes neglected or forgotten (e.g. a plant dies because the gardener forgets to water it)?


What single word can we use to describe something that has “died through neglect”? For example, a plant that has died due to the gardener forgetting to water it.


Note: I’m specifically hoping to apply this word to a software program that used to be amazing but sadly is no longer maintained and thus defunct.



Answer



I actually really like the word you used: I would refer to such a software program as defunct, especially if it might be resuscitated in the future. From Wiktionary:



defunct (comparative more defunct, superlative most defunct)



  1. (now rare) Deceased, dead.

  2. No longer in use, inactive.

  3. (computing) Specifically, of a program: that has terminated but is still shown in the list of processes because the parent process that created it is still running and has not yet reaped it. See also zombie, zombie process.

  4. (business) No longer in business or service.



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