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lapsing |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Lapse \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. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: lapsing n : a failure to maintain a higher state [syn: {backsliding}, {lapse}, {recidivism}, {relapse}, {relapsing}, {reversion}, {reverting}]
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