[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/lapse/)

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# lapse

noun (a lapse, lapses); verb (lapse, lapses, lapsed, lapsing)

«lapse» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A small mistake or failure, often caused by not paying attention: a lapse of memory. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lapse/#m1)
2. A short time that passes between two events: after a lapse of a few minutes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lapse/#m2)
3. (verb) To stop being valid because it was not renewed: my library card lapsed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lapse/#m3)
4. (verb) To slowly fall into a worse state or into silence: he lapsed into silence. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lapse/#m4)
5. (verb) To stop doing something you used to do, such as a habit or practice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lapse/#m5)

### In the lessons

In everyday life it often describes forgetting or a slip in concentration («a lapse in concentration», «a memory lapse»). In safety talk a «lapse in safety» can cause accidents. In formal writing a membership or insurance «lapses» if it is not paid. In stories characters «lapse into silence» or «lapse back into old habits». Phrases: a lapse of memory, a lapse in judgement, lapse into.

### Examples

- I had a lapse of memory and forgot my PE kit. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lapse/#x1)
- One lapse in concentration and the goalkeeper let the ball in. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lapse/#x2)
- After a lapse of ten minutes, the bell rang again. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lapse/#x3)
- Dad let his gym membership lapse because he never went. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lapse/#x4)
- The room lapsed into silence when the head teacher walked in. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lapse/#x5)
- It was just a lapse; she is usually very careful. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lapse/#x6)
- A lapse in safety at the pool can be dangerous. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lapse/#x7)
- His passport had lapsed, so he needed a new one. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lapse/#x8)
- One day, after the lapse of many years, he met Angelo, who recognized him. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lapse/#x9)

### Note

Countable noun: a lapse, lapses. Verb past: lapsed. Do not confuse with «elapse» (time passes: «ten minutes elapsed») or «collapse» (fall down). «Lapse» is a fairly formal word; in casual talk people say «slip» or «I forgot».

## In Jewish tradition

In everyday life it often describes forgetting or a slip in concentration («a lapse in concentration», «a memory lapse»). In safety talk a «lapse in safety» can cause accidents. In formal writing a membership or insurance «lapses» if it is not paid. In stories characters «lapse into silence» or «lapse back into old habits». Phrases: a lapse of memory, a lapse in judgement, lapse into.

### Examples

- And after a lapse of years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. (Writings 2CH.18.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/lapse/#x1)

### Note

Countable noun: a lapse, lapses. Verb past: lapsed. Do not confuse with «elapse» (time passes: «ten minutes elapsed») or «collapse» (fall down). «Lapse» is a fairly formal word; in casual talk people say «slip» or «I forgot».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «lapse» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lapse/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«lapse» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/lapse.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «lapse» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/lapse/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«lapse» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/lapse.html) on Mova free.