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Ignorance

1. The condition of being ignorant; the want of knowledge in general, or in relation to a particular subject; the state of being uneducated or uninformed. Ignorance is the curse of god, knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven. (Shak)

2. A willful neglect or refusal to acquire knowledge which one may acquire and it is his duty to have. Invincible ignorance, ignorance beyond the individuals control and for which, therefore, he is not responsible before god.

Origin: f, fr. L. Ignorantia.