lapse

lapse1 [ læps ] noun count

1. ) a short or temporary period when you fail or forget to do things in the right way:

The man admitted driving over the speed limit and apologized for the lapse.

lapse of: She was angered by her momentary lapse of control.

lapse in: Today showed that I can have lapses in concentration.

memory lapse (=a temporary failure to remember something): Members of the committee were puzzled by the memory lapses of White House officials.

security lapse (=a temporary failure in arrangements for people's safety): There have been security lapses despite efforts to protect the public.

a ) lapse into a gradual or temporary change to a worse or more unusual type of behavior or activity:

Carol's lapses into strong language only made her sound immature.

2. ) a period of time between two events:

There was a lapse of ten years between his visits.

a ) a temporary pause in an activity:

During a lapse in the conversation, I thanked my host and left.

lapse

lapse 2 [ læps ] verb intransitive

1. ) to stop gradually or for a short time:

At this point the waiter came up with Maggie's drink and conversation lapsed.

2. ) if an official document, decision, or right lapses, it is no longer effective:

The permit was extended for another year before being left to lapse.

`lapse into phrasal verb transitive

lapse into something to gradually change to a quieter or less active state:

A hypnotized person lapses into a kind of trance.

Now it was her turn to lapse into thought.

a. to change to a different, less usual, or less helpful way of speaking or behaving, often without realizing it:

The manual occasionally lapses into incomprehensible jargon.