Heedlessness; lack of attention; failure of a person to pay carefuland prudent attention to the progress of a negotiation or a proceeding in court bywhich his rights may be affected. Used chiefly in statutory enumerations of the groundson which a judgment or decree may be vacated or set aside; as, “mistake, Inadvertence,surprise, or excusable neglect.” See Skinner v. Terry, 107 N. C. 103, 12 S. E.118; Davis v. Steuben School Tp