es*qui*val*i*ence |es| >n. the willful avoidance of one's official responsibilities; the shirking of duties: after three subordinates attested to his esquivalience, Lieutenant Claiborne was dismissed.
*an unwillingness to work, esp. as part of a group effort: Bovich was chided by teammates for her esquivalience. *lack of interest or motivation: a teenager's esquivalience is not necessarily symptomatic of depression.
-DERIVATIVES es*qui*val*i*ent adj.; es*qui*val*i*ently adv.
-ORIGIN late 19th cent.: perhaps from French esquiver, "dodge, slink away."