lapse
laps
- n a mistake resulting from inattention
- n a break or intermission in the occurrence of something
a lapse of three weeks between letters - n a failure to maintain a higher state
- v pass into a specified state or condition
- v end, at least for a long time
The correspondence lapsed - v drop to a lower level, as in one's morals or standards
- v go back to bad behavior
- v let slip
He lapsed his membership - v pass by
three years elapsed
- The policies either lapse or are surrendered for their cash value.
- The University of Utah, which held the patent on the process, allowed it to lapse, and cold fusion fell from view.
- Silverman's family suspects a lapse on the part of the zoo.