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relapse |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Relapse \Re*lapse"\, n. [For sense 2 cf F. relaps. See {Relapse}, v.] 1. A sliding or falling back especially into a former bad state, either of body or morals; backsliding; the state of having fallen back Alas! from what high hope to what relapse Unlooked for are we fallen! --Milton. 2. One who has relapsed, or fallen back into error; a backslider; specifically, one who after recanting error, returns to it again [Obs.] From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Relapse \Re*lapse"\ (r?-l?ps"), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Relapsed} (-l?pst"); p. pr & vb n. {Relapsing}.] [L. relapsus p. p. of relabi to slip back to relapse; pref. re- re- + labi to fall, slip, slide. See {Lapse}.] 1. To slip or slide back in a literal sense to turn back [Obs.] --Dryden. 2. To slide or turn back into a former state or practice; to fall back from some condition attained; -- generally in a bad sense as from a state of convalescence or amended condition; as to relapse into a stupor, into vice, or into barbarism; -- sometimes in a good sense as to relapse into slumber after being disturbed. That task performed, [preachers] relapse into themselves. --Cowper. 3. (Theol.) To fall from Christian faith into paganism, heresy, or unbelief; to backslide. They enter into the justified state, and so continue all along unless they relapse. --Waterland. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: relapse n : a failure to maintain a higher state [syn: {backsliding}, {lapse}, {lapsing}, {recidivism}, {relapsing}, {reversion}, {reverting}] v 1: deteriorate in health; "he relapsed" [syn: {get worse}] [ant: {get well}] 2: go back to bad behavior; "Those who recidivate are often minor criminals" [syn: {lapse}, {recidivate}, {regress}, {retrogress}, {fall back}]
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