From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishlapselapse1 /læps/ noun [countable] 1 CARELESSa short period of time during which you fail to do something well or properly, often caused by not being carefulmomentary/temporary/occasional etc lapse Despite the occasional lapse, this was a fine performance by the young saxophonist. A defensive lapse by Keown allowed Tottenham to score.lapse in lapses in securitylapse of A single lapse of concentration cost Sampras the game. a lapse of judgement After taking the drug, several patients suffered memory lapses (=when you cannot remember something for a short time).2 FAILa failure to do something you should do, especially to behave correctly He forgot to offer Darren a drink, but Marie did not appear to notice the lapse.3 [usually singular]PERIOD OF TIME a period of time between two events The usual time lapse between request and delivery is two days.lapse of a lapse of about ten seconds
Examples from the Corpus
lapse• The clock was restored to its original condition in full working order in 1956, after a lapse of seventy-two years.• He kicked and usually punched, but his size and strength produced blows that jarred the body and caused lapses in consciousness.• But the life of a first generation feminist can be plagued by disconcerting lapses.• None of what has been said suggests that we should ignore ethical lapses or law-breaking by public figures.• There were a few lapses, but there was effort.• He had not died or fallen ill, nor had Smallfry been made aware of his lapses.• He and Dean had just been laid off during a seniority lapse because of a drastic reduction of crews.• He didn't offer Darren a drink, and Marie did not appear to notice the lapse.• His claim that he had been constructively dismissed failed because of the lapse of time after 6 February 1981 before he took action.momentary/temporary/occasional etc lapse• She turned and looked about her, suddenly angered by the mess she had made - by her momentary lapse of control.• Some people think Sawyer would make a lousy anchor because of her occasional lapses into tabloid tawdriness.• When she had been little, temporary lapses and been easily passed over.• Those who are not must forgive me my momentary lapse into modest mathematical sophistication.• The diagrams that accompany the text are usually excellent with only the occasional lapse.• More interesting was the momentary lapse of patience by Coach Dave Wannstedt in defending the moves.time lapse• There may be a time lapse between teaching and practical experience, so that recall may be impaired.• The other five deploy flashbacks and almost constant time lapses.• In terms of this initial time lapse, two distinct groups can be identified.• The conditions which will influence these decisions include the site, time lapse before treatment, contamination and state of the circulation.• I have long been concerned about the time lapse from the commissioning of a book to its appearance in the shops.• This involves noting when the specified behaviour starts, noting again when it ends and recording the time lapse. lapselapse2 verb [intransitive] 1 FINISH/COME TO AN ENDto gradually come to an end or to stop for a period of time The conversation lapsed.2 FINISH/COME TO AN END especially British English if a contract, agreement etc lapses, it comes to an end, usually because an agreed time limit has passed Your booking will automatically lapse unless you confirm it.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually say that a contract or agreement runs out rather than lapses:His club membership had run out.3 to stop believing in or following a religion those people who have lapsed from the practice of their religion4 formal if a period of time lapses, it passes Many years had lapsed since her first visit to Wexford. → lapse into something→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
lapse• I let the conversation lapse and Kelly finally spoke up.• In this situation professionals are most apt to allow their normal reserve about commerce to lapse, and to give meaningful information.• They were allowed to lapse in the late nineteenth century and were not revived until after the last war.• The defense lapsed in the sixth, when shortstop Craig Shipley muffed a spinning grounder.• A mysterious apple laced with morphine causes Snow White to lapse into a coma.• Some have even lapsed into postfeminist inaction.• There was moreover, a young man in the congregation who lapsed into this sin.• They lapsed into writing meticulous creeds and inventing lifeless rituals.• Crockett wishes he hadn't let his insurance policies lapse last year.From Longman Business Dictionarylapselapse1 /læps/ verb [intransitive]1COMMERCEif a contract, agreement, or offer lapses, it ends because an agreed time limit has passedThe customer has the right to exercise the option or allow the option to lapse.There are many films on which the copyright has lapsed and hasn’t been renewed.2INSURANCE if an INSURANCE POLICY lapses, it ends because the regular payments required have not been madeKimble let his fire insurance lapse when he couldn’t afford the premiums. → lapse into something→ See Verb tablelapselapse2 noun [countable]1a period of time between two eventsThere is a four-day lapse between the time a patron buys a ticket and the money is deposited in the bank.2a failure to do something you should doThe customer complained about a lapse in service.The audit uncovered accounting lapses.Origin lapse1 (1300-1400) Latin lapsus, from labi “to slip” 