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1. Dictionary

   lapse

   /laps/

   noun

   • 1. a brief or temporary failure of concentration, memory, or judgement: "a lapse of concentration in the second set cost her the match" Similar failurefailingsliperrormistakeblunderfaultomissionoversightnegligencederelictioninformal:slip-upfail
   • ▪ a decline from previously high standards: "tracing his lapse into petty crime" Similar declinedownturnfallfallingfalling awayslippingdropdeteriorationworseningdegenerationderelictionbackslidingregressionretrogressiondecaydescentsinkingslideebbwaningcorruptiondebasementtaintingcorrosionimpairment
   • ▪ the termination of a right or privilege through disuse or failure to follow appropriate procedures.
   • 2. an interval or passage of time: "there was a considerable lapse of time between the two events" Similar intervalgappauseintermissioninterludelullhiatusbreakpassagecoursepassingperiodtermspanspell

   verb

   • 1. (of a right, privilege, or agreement) become invalid because it is not used, claimed, or renewed; expire: "he let his membership of CND lapse" Similar expirebecome voidbecome invalidrun outterminatebecome obsolete
   • ▪ (of a state or activity) fail to be maintained; come to an end: "if your diet has lapsed it's time you revived it" Similar endceasecome to an endstopterminatevanishdisappearpassfadefall awaydwindlewiltwitherdie
   • ▪ cease to follow the rules and practices of a religion or doctrine: "many Christians in Britain have lapsed"
   • 2. pass gradually into (an inferior state or condition): "the country has lapsed into chaos" Similar deterioratedeclinefallfall offdropworsendegeneratedecayrotbackslideregressretrogressget worsesinkwaneslumpfailinformal:go downhillgo to potgo to the dogsgo down the toilethit the skidsOpposite improvestrengthen
   • ▪ revert to (a previous or more familiar style of speaking or behaviour): "the girls lapsed into French" Similar revertrelapsefall backdriftslideslipsinksubside

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Latin lapsus, from labi ‘to glide, slip, or fall’; the verb reinforced by Latin lapsare ‘to slip or stumble’.

   Scrabble Points: 7

   • L

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   • A

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   • P

     3

   • S

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   • E

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