I. ri-ˈlaps, ˈrē-ˌ noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin relapsus, from Latin relabi to slide back, from re- + labi to slide — more at sleep
Date: 15th century
1. : the act or an instance of backsliding, worsening, or subsiding
2. : a recurrence of symptoms of a disease after a period of improvement
II. ri-ˈlaps intransitive verb
( re·lapsed ; re·laps·ing )
Date: circa 1534
1. : to slip or fall back into a former worse state
2. : sink , subside
relapse into deep thought
• re·laps·er noun