DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
Lapse, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Lapsed p. pr. & vb. n. Lapsing.]
1. To pass slowly and smoothly downward, backward, or away; to slip downward, backward, or away; to glide; -- mostly restricted to figurative uses.
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.
Lapsed a.
1. Having slipped downward, backward, or away; having lost position, privilege, etc., by neglect; -- restricted to figurative uses.
Once more I will renew
His lapsed powers, though forfeit. --Milton.
2. Ineffectual, void, or forfeited; as, a lapsed policy of insurance; a lapsed legacy.
Lapsed devise, Lapsed legacy Law, a devise, or legacy, which fails to take effect in consequence of the death of the devisee, or legatee, before that of the testator, or for other cause.
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lapsed
adj : no longer active or practicing; "a lapsed Catholic" [syn: nonchurchgoing]