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lapse
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- pronunciation:
- laeps
- parts of speech:
- noun, intransitive verb
- features:
- Word Combinations (noun, verb), Word Parts
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
a usu. minor, temporary, or unintentional decline from or failure to meet some established or accepted standard.
My grandfather has occasional memory lapses.I'm sorry for not introducing you; my shock at seeing him there caused me to have a lapse in good manners.- similar words:
- decline, disregard, down, error, fault, faux pas, negligence, peccadillo, slip, slip-up
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| definition 2: |
a passing or past interval of time; elapsed period.
The old theater is operating again after a lapse of ten years.- synonyms:
- elapse
- similar words:
- interim, interlude, intermission, interval, passage, period, recess
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| definition 3: |
the termination of a legal right or privilege because of failure to use it.
- similar words:
- discontinuance, expiration, expiry, nullification, revocation, termination
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| definition 4: |
the termination of a benefit or warranty, because of nonpayment of premiums or expiration of the contracted period of coverage.
- similar words:
- discontinuance, end, nullification, revocation, termination
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| definition 5: |
a slow or gradual decline or fall.
a lapse into silencea lapse into disuse- similar words:
- decline, descent, downturn, drop, ebb, wane
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| related words: |
fall, oversight, time, transgression, trip, weakness |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
lapses, lapsing, lapsed |
| definition 1: |
to decline from or fail to meet an established or accepted standard, usu. temporarily, unintentionally, or in a minor way.
They never lapsed in their faithfulness to each other.- similar words:
- fault, miss, slip
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| definition 2: |
to drift slowly or gradually into or out of a state or mental condition.
The injured woman lapsed into a coma.After his wife died, he lapsed into despair.- similar words:
- drift, fall, slip
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| definition 3: |
to come to an end, as a right or benefit in force during a specified period of time.
Her license to practice dentistry has lapsed.The insurance policy lapsed due to non-payment of the premium.- synonyms:
- elapse, expire
- similar words:
- cease, end, terminate
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| definition 4: |
to slip into disuse.
This old custom has lapsed.- synonyms:
- obsolesce
- similar words:
- fall, slip
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| related words: |
default, elapse, err, relapse, ride, trespass |
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| derivation: |
lapsable (lapsible) (adj.) |
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