n.[C]

1. （時間的）流逝，間隔[（+of）]
   Her grief over her child's death was not at all relieved by the lapse of time.

   時間的推移並未減輕她的失子之痛。

2. 小錯，失誤
   I had a lapse of memory.

   我記錯了。

3. 跌落，下降
   a lapse of confidence

   信心的喪失

4. 失檢；偏離[（+from）]
5. 【律】（權力等的）消失，權力失效

vi.

1. 失檢；背離[（+from）]
   He sometimes lapses from good behavior.

   他有時行為失檢。

2. 陷入[（+into）]
   We talked nonstop at first, but soon lapsed into silence.

   開始我們談個不停，但過不多久我們陷入了沉默。

3. （時間）流逝
   Several hours lapsed before he woke up.

   過了好幾個小時他才醒。

4. （權力等）終止，失效
   The lease has lapsed.

   這一租約已經失效。

n.

1. a brief failure of concentration, memory, or judgement.
   ▸a decline from previously high standards.
2. an interval of time.
3. Law  the termination of a right or privilege through disuse or failure to follow appropriate procedures.

v.

1. (of a right, privilege, or agreement) become invalid because it is not used, claimed, or renewed.
2. cease to follow the rules and practices of a religion or doctrine.
3. (lapse into) pass gradually into (a different, often worse, state or condition).