transcription, транскрипция: [ læps ]
( lapses, lapsing, lapsed)
1.
A lapse is a moment or instance of bad behaviour by someone who usually behaves well.
On Friday he showed neither decency nor dignity. It was an uncommon lapse.
N-COUNT : usu adj N , N in n
2.
A lapse of something such as concentration or judgment is a temporary lack of that thing, which can often cause you to make a mistake.
I had a little lapse of concentration in the middle of the race...
The incident was being seen as a serious security lapse.
N-COUNT : N of n , supp N
3.
If you lapse into a quiet or inactive state, you stop talking or being active.
She muttered something unintelligible and lapsed into silence...
VERB : V into n
4.
If someone lapses into a particular way of speaking, or behaving, they start speaking or behaving in that way, usually for a short period.
Teenagers occasionally find it all too much to cope with and lapse into bad behaviour.
= slip
VERB : V into n
•
Lapse is also a noun.
Her lapse into German didn’t seem peculiar. After all, it was her native tongue.
N-COUNT : usu N into n
5.
A lapse of time is a period that is long enough for a situation to change or for people to have a different opinion about it.
...the restoration of diplomatic relations after a lapse of 24 years...
There is usually a time lapse between receipt of new information and its publication.
N-SING : usu N of n , supp N
6.
If a period of time lapses , it passes.
New products and production processes are transferred to the developing countries only after a substantial amount of time has lapsed.
VERB : V
7.
If a situation or legal contract lapses , it is allowed to end rather than being continued, renewed, or extended.
Her membership of the Labour Party has lapsed...
Ford allowed the name and trademark to lapse during the Eighties.
VERB : V , V
8.
If a member of a particular religion lapses , they stop believing in it or stop following its rules and practices.
She calls herself a lapsed Catholic.
VERB : V-ed