/læps; læps/
n
1 small error, esp one caused by forgetfulness or inattention 小错; （尤指）记错, 疏忽:A brief lapse in the final set cost her the match. 她在最後一盘稍有失误而致比赛失败.
* It was a superb performance, despite occasional lapses of intonation. 演出非常成功, 唯偶有音调失误.
2 ~ (from sth) (into sth) fall or departure from correct or usual standards; backsliding 堕落; 失足
*Wives were expected to forgive their husbands' lapses, ie forgive them when they were unfaithful. 希望做妻子的原谅丈夫一时行为失检（不忠）.
* The debate was marred by a brief lapse into unpleasant name-calling. 因出现几句谩骂, 辩论会不欢而散.
* a lapse from grace, ie becoming out of favour 失宠.
3 passing of a period of time （时间的）流逝, 过去
*after a lapse of six months 相隔六个月之後.
4 (law 律) ending of a right, etc because of disuse （权利等的）失效, 中止, 结束, 消失（因不行使所致）.

v
1 [I, Ipr] ~ (from sth) (into sth) fail to maintain one's position or standard 未能保持自己的立场或标准
*lapse back into bad habits 重又沾染坏习惯
* a lapsed Catholic 叛教的天主教徒.
2 [Ipr] ~ into sth sink or pass gradually into sth 陷入或进入某状态
*She lapsed into a coma. 她逐渐陷入昏迷状态.
3 [I] (law 律) (of rights and privileges) be lost or invalid because not used, claimed or renewed （指权利、特权）（因未行使、无要求或未延期）丧失, 失效
*He didn't get any compensation because his insurance policy had lapsed. 他因保险单失效未得任何补偿.