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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Lapse \Lapse\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Lapsed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Lapsing}.]
1. To pass slowly and smoothly downward, backward, or away;
to slip downward, backward, or away; to glide; -- mostly
restricted to figurative uses.
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A tendency to lapse into the barbarity of those
northern nations from whom we are descended.
--Swift.
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Homer, in his characters of Vulcan and Thersites,
has lapsed into the burlesque character. --Addison.
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2. To slide or slip in moral conduct; to fail in duty; to
fall from virtue; to deviate from rectitude; to commit a
fault by inadvertence or mistake.
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To lapse in fullness
Is sorer than to lie for need. --Shak.
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3. (Law)
(a) To fall or pass from one proprietor to another, or
from the original destination, by the omission,
negligence, or failure of some one, as a patron, a
legatee, etc.
(b) To become ineffectual or void; to fall.
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If the archbishop shall not fill it up within
six months ensuing, it lapses to the king.
--Ayliffe.
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Lapsed \Lapsed\, a.
1. Having slipped downward, backward, or away; having lost
position, privilege, etc., by neglect; -- restricted to
figurative uses.
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Once more I will renew
His lapsed powers, though forfeit. --Milton.
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2. Ineffectual, void, or forfeited; as, a lapsed policy of
insurance; a lapsed legacy.
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{Lapsed devise}, {Lapsed legacy} (Law), a devise, or legacy,
which fails to take effect in consequence of the death of
the devisee, or legatee, before that of the testator, or
for other cause. --Wharton (Law Dict.).
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