(~s, lapsing, ~d)
1.
A ~ 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 ~.
N-COUNT: usu adj N, N in n
2.
A ~ 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 ~ of concentration in the middle of the race...
The incident was being seen as a serious security ~.
N-COUNT: N of n, supp N
3.
If you ~ into a quiet or inactive state, you stop talking or being active.
She muttered something unintelligible and ~d into silence...
VERB: V into n
4.
If someone ~s 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 ~ into bad behaviour.
= slip
VERB: V into n
•
Lapse is also a noun.
Her ~ into German didn’t seem peculiar. After all, it was her native tongue.
N-COUNT: usu N into n
5.
A ~ 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 ~ of 24 years...
There is usually a time ~ between receipt of new information and its publication.
N-SING: usu N of n, supp N
6.
If a period of time ~s, it passes.
New products and production processes are transferred to the developing countries only after a substantial amount of time has ~d.
VERB: V
7.
If a situation or legal contract ~s, it is allowed to end rather than being continued, renewed, or extended.
Her membership of the Labour Party has ~d...
Ford allowed the name and trademark to ~ during the Eighties.
VERB: V, V
8.
If a member of a particular religion ~s, they stop believing in it or stop following its rules and practices.
She calls herself a ~d Catholic.
VERB: V-ed