lapsing

lapse  (lps)

v. lapsed, laps·ing, laps·es

v.intr.

1.

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.

2.

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b. To be no longer valid or active; expire: She allowed her membership to lapse after the first year.

3. Law To pass to another through neglect or omission. Used of a right or privilege, a benefice, or an estate.

4. To go by; elapse: Years had lapsed since we last met.

v.tr.

To allow to lapse.

n.

1. 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.

2. A break in continuity; a pause: a lapse in the conversation.

3. A period of time; an interval: a lapse of several years between the two revolutions.

4. Law The termination of a right or privilege through disuse, neglect, or death.

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[Middle English lapsen, to deviate from the normal, from laps, lapse of time, sin (from Old French, lapse of time, from Latin lpsus, from past participle of lb, to lapse) and from Latin lpsre, frequentative of lb, to lapse.]

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lapser n.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

lapsing - a failure to maintain a higher state backsliding, relapse, relapsing, reverting, lapse, reversion failure - an act that fails; "his failure to pass the test" recidivism - habitual relapse into crime