lapse

lapse
I UK [læps] / US noun [countable]
Word forms "lapse":
singular lapse plural lapses
1)
a) a short or temporary period when you fail or forget to do something in the right way

The man admitted driving over the speed limit and apologized for the lapse.

lapse of:

She was angered by her momentary lapse of control.

lapse in:

Today showed that I can have lapses in concentration.

memory lapse (= a temporary failure to remember something):

Members of the committee were puzzled by the memory lapses of White House officials.

security lapse (= a temporary failure in arrangements for people's safety):

There have been security lapses despite efforts to protect the public.

b) a gradual or temporary change to a worse or more unusual type of behaviour or activity
lapse into:

Carol's lapses into strong language only made her sound immature.

2)
a) a period of time between two events

There was a lapse of ten years between his visits.

b) a temporary pause in an activity

During a lapse in the conversation, I thanked my host and left.


II UK [læps] / US verb [intransitive]
Word forms "lapse":
present tense I/you/we/they lapse he/she/it lapses present participle lapsing past tense lapsed past participle lapsed
1) to stop gradually or for a short time

At this point the waiter came up with Maggie's drink and conversation lapsed.

2) if an official document, decision, or right lapses, it is no longer effective

The permit was extended for another year before being left to lapse.

Phrasal verbs:

English dictionary. 2014.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • lapse — 1 / laps/ n: a termination or failure due to events, neglect, or time: as a: the failure of a bequest (as because the intended recipient dies before the testator) compare anti lapse statute b: the termination of an insurance policy because of… …   Law dictionary

  • lapse — n 1 slip, *error, mistake, blunder, faux pas, bull, howler, boner Analogous words: *offense, sin, vice, crime: *fault, failing, frailty, foible: transgression, *breach, violation, trespass 2 relapse, backsliding (see under LAPSE vb) …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Lapse — (l[a^]ps), n. [L. lapsus, fr. labi, p. p. lapsus, to slide, to fall: cf. F. laps. See {Sleep}.] 1. A gliding, slipping, or gradual falling; an unobserved or imperceptible progress or passing away,; restricted usually to immaterial things, or to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lapse — Lapse, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Lapsed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Lapsing}.] 1. To pass slowly and smoothly downward, backward, or away; to slip downward, backward, or away; to glide; mostly restricted to figurative uses. [1913 Webster] A tendency to lapse… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lapse — [n1] mistake blunder, breach, bungle, crime, error, failing, failure, fault, flub, foible, frailty, gaff, goof, goof up*, indiscretion, miscue, negligence, offense, omission, oversight, screw up*, sin, slip, slip up, transgression, trespass,… …   New thesaurus

  • Lapse — Lapse, v. t. 1. To let slip; to permit to devolve on another; to allow to pass. [1913 Webster] An appeal may be deserted by the appellant s lapsing the term of law. Ayliffe. [1913 Webster] 2. To surprise in a fault or error; hence, to surprise or …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lapse — ► NOUN 1) a brief failure of concentration, memory, or judgement. 2) a decline from previously high standards. 3) an interval of time. 4) Law the termination of a right or privilege through disuse or failure to follow appropriate procedures. ►… …   English terms dictionary

  • lapse — [laps] n. [L lapsus, a fall: see LAP1] 1. a slip of the tongue, pen, or memory; small error; fault 2. a) a falling away from a moral standard; moral slip b) a falling or slipping into a lower or worse condition, esp. for a short time 3 …   English World dictionary

  • lapse — relapse …   Dictionnaire des rimes

  • lapse — ▪ I. lapse lapse 1 [læps] verb [intransitive] 1. COMMERCE if a contract, agreement, or offer lapses, it ends because an agreed time limit has passed: • The customer has the right to exercise the option or allow the option to lapse. • There are… …   Financial and business terms

  • lapse — lapse1 [læps] n [Date: 1300 1400; : Latin; Origin: lapsus, from labi to slip ] 1.) a short period of time during which you fail to do something well or properly, often caused by not being careful momentary/temporary/occasional etc lapse ▪ Despite …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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