◙ noun 1. a brief or temporary failure of concentration, memory, or judgement • （注意力，记忆）短暂丧失；（判断）失误，差错 »a lapse of concentration in the second set cost her the match. 第二局中她一失神失败了。 a weak or careless decline from previously high standards • 衰退；陷入（某种状态） »tracing his lapse into petty crime. 追踪他小打小闹作奸犯科的缘由。 [Law] the termination of a right or privilege through disuse or failure to follow appropriate procedures • [律] （权力，特权）终止，失效 2. an interval or passage of time • 时间间隔，时间段 »there was a considerable lapse of time between the two events. 两次事件之间有一相当长的间隔。 ◙ verb, [no obj.] 1. (of a right, privilege, or agreement) become invalid because it is not used, claimed, or renewed;expire • （权力，特权，协议）终止，失效 »he let his membership of CND lapse. 他中止了自己的核裁军运动成员身份。 (of a state or activity) fail to be maintained; come to an end • （状态，活动）中止，结束 »if your diet has lapsed it's time you revived it. 如果你停止节食了，现在就应该恢复。 (of an adherent of a particular religion or doctrine) cease to follow the rules and practices of that religion or doctrine • （宗教或学说的追随者）背离，放弃 »[as adj. lapsed] a lapsed Catholic. 一个已改变信仰的天主教徒。 2. (lapse into)pass gradually into (an inferior state or condition) • 堕入，陷入 »the country has lapsed into chaos. 该国陷入混乱。 revert to (a previous or more familiar style of speaking or behaviour) • 回复（从前或习惯的言语行为方式） »the girls lapsed into French. 这女孩又改说她习惯的法语了。
【语源】
1. late Middle English: from Latin lapsus, from labi 'to glide, slip, or fall'; the verb reinforced by Latin lapsare 'to slip or stumble'