lapse

lapse (laps)

noun

a slip of the tongue, pen, or memory; small error; fault
1. a falling away from a moral standard; moral slip
2. a falling or slipping into a lower or worse condition, esp. for a short time
a falling away from one's belief or faith
a gliding or passing away, as of time or of anything continuously flowing
Rare a falling into ruin
Law
1. the termination or forfeiture of a right or privilege through disuse, through failure of some contingency, or through failure to meet stated obligations within a stated time
2. the failure of a bequest or devise to take effect because of the death of the person who was to receive it

Etymology: L lapsus, a fall: see lap

intransitive verb lapsed, laps′·ing

to slip or fall; esp., to slip into a specified state to lapse into a coma
to slip or deviate from a higher standard or fall into (former) erroneous ways; backslide
to stop practicing one's religion; lose or abandon one's faith
to pass away; elapse: said of time
to come to an end; stop my subscription lapsed
to become forfeit or void because of failure to pay the premium at the stipulated time: said of an insurance policy
Law to pass to another proprietor by reason of negligence or death

Etymology: L lapsare < labi: see lap

transitive verb

to make forfeit or void by not meeting standards

laps′·able adjective or laps′·ible laps′er noun

The termination or expiration of a right because it has not been exercised or because of the occurrence or nonoccurrence of some contingency.

Adjective modifier

momentary: Surely, she could be excused her momentary lapse.
defensive: Ken McKenna was understandably annoyed with the late defensive lapses in a game where Saints ought to have kept a clean sheet.
occasional: The mix works, with only occasional lapses into self-consciousness.
odd: The EU is no longer a cozy club of politicians who can forgive their peers for the odd lapse.
slight: Chuck Martini did well to save from James Husband after a slight lapse in the Windsor defense allowed him through.
minor: Bell extended their lead further following a minor defensive lapse.

Preposition: into

unconsciousness: He was OK for a while, then lapsed into unconsciousness.
coma: The Inspector was helped home, but lapsed into a coma and died during the night.
idolatry: Solomon lapses into idolatry, the fruit of a heart given to strange women.
silence: Have you said the wrong thing or lapsed into helpless silence?

Modifies a noun

photography: The time lapse photography is an especially desirable feature.
recorder: The CCTV system's time lapse video recorder will clock up 168 hours use each week.

Noun used with modifier

memory: Colleen suggests Meg should see a doctor about her memory lapses.
will: At that point the British Government's power to suspend the Assembly will lapse for good.
membership: There are also large numbers who have let their membership lapse.
security: How such a security lapse could occur needs a full independent public inquiry.

Preposition: in

concentration: He has serial lapses in concentration - often just five minutes apart!

Preposition: of

concentration: Jones said: " One lapse of concentration has cost all all three points.
judgment: However, the possibility of lapses of judgment or of procedure which can affect the candidate's class, must not be ruled out.
taste: As if startled by the shocking lapse of taste, he was silent for a minute or so.

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