I. noun
1.
Synonyms: error 2, blooper, blunder, boner, bull, bungle, fluff, mistake, slip, trip
Related Word: crime, offense, sin, vice; failing, foible, frailty; breach, transgression, trespass, violation
2.
a temporary deviation or fall especially from a higher to a lower state
a lapse into nonproductiveness
ashamed of his lapse from grace
Synonyms: backsliding, relapse
Related Word: decadence, declension, decline, degeneration, deterioration, devolution; recession, retrogradation; regression, retrogression
Contrasted words: advance, progress; development, maturation; amendment; betterment, improvement
II. verb
to fall from a better or higher state into a lower or poorer one
lapsed into his old vulgar ways
Synonyms: backslide, recidivate, relapse
Related Word: return, revert; slide, slip; decline, degenerate, deteriorate; subside; descend; recede, retrograde; apostatize
Contrasted words: advance, progress; develop, mature; amend, mend; better, improve