Webster's English Dictionary

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lapse

Cross references:
  1. error                 
 
1. lapse \'laps\ n [L lapsus, fr. lapsus, pp. of labi to slip - more at 
   SLE]EP 1a: a slight error or slip  1b: a temporary deviation or fall esp. 
   from a higher to a lower state  2a: DROP; specif : a decrease of 
   temperature or pressure as t he height increases 2b: LOWERING, DECLINE  
   3a1: the termination of a right or privilege through neglect to exercise it 
    within some limit of time 3a2: termination of coverage for nonpayment of 
   premiums  3b: INTERRUPTION, DISCONTINUANCE  4: an abandonment of religious 
   faith : APOSTASY  5: a passage of time; also : INTERVAL 
2. lapse vi 1a: to fall into error or folly; specif : BACKSLIDE, APOS 
   TASIZE 1b: to sink or slip gradually : SUBSIDE  2: to go out of existence : 
   CEASE  3: to pass from one proprietor to another by omission or negligence  
   of time  4a: to run its course : PASS  4b: to glide past or along  : to let 
   slip : FORFEIT  - laps.er n