lapses
|laps-es|
/ˈlæpsɪz/
(lapse)
temporary failure or gradual transition
Etymology
'lapse' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'lapsus', where the root 'labi' meant 'to slip' or 'to fall'.
'lapse' came into English via Late Latin 'lapsus' (a slipping or falling) and medieval/early modern usage, becoming the modern English 'lapse'.
Initially it meant 'a slipping or falling', but over time it evolved to include 'a temporary failure or decline' and 'a passing of time'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a temporary failure in concentration, memory, or judgment.
He has occasional lapses in judgment when he's tired.
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Noun 2
a brief interval or passage of time (often used in the phrase 'a lapse of time').
There were long lapses between the phone calls.
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Verb 1
to pass gradually into a different state or condition (often followed by 'into').
During the meeting she often lapses into silence.
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Last updated: 2025/12/18 11:45