(lapses, lapsing, lapsed)
1.
A lapse is a moment or instance of bad behaviour by someone who usually behaves well.
On Friday he showed neither decency nor dignity. It was an uncommon lapse.
N-COUNT: usu adj N, N in n
2.
A lapse of something such as concentration or judgment is a temporary lack of that thing, which can often cause you to make a mistake.
I had a little lapse of concentration in the middle of the race...
The incident was being seen as a serious security lapse.
N-COUNT: N of n, supp N
3.
If you lapse into a quiet or inactive state, you stop talking or being active.
She muttered something unintelligible and lapsed into silence...
VERB: V into n
4.
If someone lapses into a particular way of speaking, or behaving, they start speaking or behaving in that way, usually for a short period.
Teenagers occasionally find it all too much to cope with and lapse into bad behaviour.
= slip
VERB: V into n
•
Lapse is also a noun.
Her lapse into German didn't seem peculiar. After all, it was her native tongue.
N-COUNT: usu N into n
5.
A lapse of time is a period that is long enough for a situation to change or for people to have a different opinion about it.
...the restoration of diplomatic relations after a lapse of 24 years...
There is usually a time lapse between receipt of new information and its publication.
N-SING: usu N of n, supp N
6.
If a period of time lapses, it passes.
New products and production processes are transferred to the developing countries only after a substantial amount of time has lapsed.
VERB: V
7.
If a situation or legal contract lapses, it is allowed to end rather than being continued, renewed, or extended.
Her membership of the Labour Party has lapsed...
Ford allowed the name and trademark to lapse during the Eighties.
VERB: V, V
8.
If a member of a particular religion lapses, they stop believing in it or stop following its rules and practices.
She calls herself a lapsed Catholic.
VERB: V-ed