Definition of 'lapse'

Noun

1. a mistake resulting from inattention
      Synonyms: oversight
2. a break or intermission in the occurrence of something; "a lapse of three weeks between letters"
3. a failure to maintain a higher state
      Synonyms: backsliding lapsing relapse relapsing reversion reverting

Verb

1. pass into a specified state or condition; "He sank into Nirvana"
      Synonyms: sink pass
2. end, at least for a long time; "The correspondence lapsed"
3. drop to a lower level, as in one's morals or standards
      Synonyms: backslide
4. go back to bad behavior; "Those who recidivate are often minor criminals"
      Synonyms: relapse recidivate regress retrogress fall back
5. let slip; "He lapsed his membership"
6. pass by; "three years elapsed"
      Synonyms: elapse pass slip by glide by slip away go by slide by go along

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