- 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.
an accidental or temporary decline or turning away from an expected or accepted condition or state: a lapse in good judgment. a minor error: a lapse of memory. an interval or passage of time: a lapse of only a few seconds. a fall or decline to a lower grade, condition, or degree: a lapse into savagery.
The meaning of LAPSE is a slight error typically due to forgetfulness or inattention. How to use lapse in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Lapse.
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. 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.
To lapſe in Fullneſſe / Is ſorer, than to lye for Neede: and Falſhood / Is worſe in Kings, than Beggers. To slip into a bad habit that one is trying to avoid. The connections at Lewisham were never built, and the powers of the Act lapsed; but the spur at Nunhead was partly constructed.
Definition of lapse noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.