lapse
pronunciation
How to pronounce lapse in British English:
UK [læps]
How to pronounce lapse in American English:
US [læps]
-
- Noun:
- a mistake resulting from inattention
- a break or intermission in the occurrence of something
- a failure to maintain a higher state
-
- Verb:
- pass into a specified state or condition
- end, at least for a long time
- drop to a lower level, as in one's morals or standards
- go back to bad behavior
- let slip
- pass by
Word Origin
- lapse (n.)
- mid-15c., "elapsing of time, expiration;" also "temporary forfeiture of a legal right," from Middle French laps "lapse," from Latin lapsus "a slipping and falling, flight (of time), falling into error," from labi "to slip, glide, fall." Meaning "moral transgression, sin" is c. 1500; that of "slip of the memory" is 1520s; that of "a falling away from one's faith" is from 1650s.
- lapse (v.)
- early 15c., said to be from lapse (n.) or from Latin lapsare "to lose one's footing." Related: Lapsed; lapses; lapsing.
Example
- 1. They will lapse on july 31st .
- 2. The deal will lapse if it is not completed by april 23 .
- 3. If they are allowed to lapse , would that be " raising taxes " ?
- 4. These small lapses took place against the background of a much bigger lapse .
- 5. Likewise , many dying people want to reconnect with a spiritual practice that they 've allowed to lapse over the years .