ˈlachə̇z, ˈlāch-, ˈlash- noun
( plural laches “)
Etymology: Middle English lachesse, from Middle French laschesse, from Old French lasche lax, indolent, from laschier to loose, from Late Latin laxicare to become shaky, from Latin laxare to loosen — more at laxate
1. : slackness or carelessness toward duty or opportunity : negligence , remissness
not to be saved by the most liberal allowance of trisyllabic feet, for libertine accentuation, and for other laches of the kind — George Saintsbury
2.
a. in equity : neglect to do a thing at the proper time : undue delay in asserting a right or claiming a privilege — compare statute of limitations
b. : culpable negligence