lapse

To lapse is defined as to become inactive, invalid, to end, or to stop doing something.

(verb)

An example of lapse is to slip into unconsciousness.
An example of lapse is when your driver's license has expired.
An example of lapse is to stop going to church as required by your religion.
An example of lapse is when your homeowner's insurance becomes inactive because you failed to pay the bill.

The definition of a lapse is a temporary failure in judgment or behavior or something that has declined in quality.

(noun)

An example of lapse is when a person has a loss of memory.
An example of lapse is when a person temporarily stops paying attention or shows bad judgment.
An example of lapse is when a neighborhood that was once nice becomes full of crime.

See lapse in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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

Origin: L lapsus, a fall: see lap

intransitive verb lapsed, lapsing

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

Origin: L lapsare < labi: see lap

transitive verb

to make forfeit or void by not meeting standards

Related Forms:

See lapse in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb lapsed lapsed, laps·ing, laps·es

verb, intransitive

a. To fall from a previous level or standard, as of accomplishment, quality, or conduct: lapse into bad habits; a team that lapsed into mediocrity halfway through the season.
b. To deviate from a prescribed or accepted way: lapse into heresy.
c. To pass gradually or smoothly; slip: lapse into reverie.
a. To come to an end, especially gradually or temporarily: He realized that his attention had lapsed and he hadn't heard the assignment.
b. To be no longer valid or active; expire: She allowed her membership to lapse after the first year.
Law To pass to another through neglect or omission. Used of a right or privilege, a benefice, or an estate.
To go by; elapse: Years had lapsed since we last met.

verb, transitive

To allow to lapse.

noun

The act or an instance of lapsing, as:
a. A usually minor or temporary failure; a slip: a lapse of memory; a lapse in judgment.
b. A deterioration or decline: a lapse into barbarism.
c. A moral fall: a lapse from grace.
A break in continuity; a pause: a lapse in the conversation.
A period of time; an interval: a lapse of several years between the two revolutions.
Law The termination of a right or privilege through disuse, neglect, or death.