The lapse to indolence is soft and imperceptible.
--Rambler.
Bacon was content to wait the lapse of long
centuries for his expected revenue of fame. --I.
Taylor.
2. A slip; an error; a fault; a failing in duty; a slight
deviation from truth or rectitude.
To guard against those lapses and failings to which
our infirmities daily expose us. --Rogers.
3. (Law) The termination of a right or privilege through
neglect to exercise it within the limited time, or through
failure of some contingency; hence, the devolution of a
right or privilege.
4. (Theol.) A fall or apostasy.
A tendency to lapse into the barbarity of those
northern nations from whom we are descended.
--Swift.
Homer, in his characters of Vulcan and Thersites,
has lapsed into the burlesque character. --Addison.
2. To slide or slip in moral conduct; to fail in duty; to
fall from virtue; to deviate from rectitude; to commit a
fault by inadvertence or mistake.
To lapse in fullness Is sorer than to lie for need.
--Shak.
3. (Law)
(a) To fall or pass from one proprietor to another, or
from the original destination, by the omission,
negligence, or failure of some one, as a patron, a
legatee, etc.
(b) To become ineffectual or void; to fall.
If the archbishop shall not fill it up within
six months ensuing, it lapses to the king.
--Ayliffe.
An appeal may be deserted by the appellant's lapsing
the term of law. --Ayliffe.
2. To surprise in a fault or error; hence, to surprise or
catch, as an offender. [Obs.]
For which, if be lapsed in this place, I shall pay
dear. --Shak.