lapse — a temporary failure of concentration, memory, or judgment
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a temporary failure of concentration, memory, or judgment
Pronunciation (IPA): /læps/
Example Sentences
- My teacher had a hilarious lapse and called me by my dog's name.
- After a lapse of ten years, the building permit expired.
- Don't let your gym membership lapse just because you ate pizza once.
lapse
NOUN[/læps/]
a temporary failure of concentration, memory, or judgment
A brief lapse in the guard's attention let the thief slip through the museum gate.
Studying gaps in maps, his mind had a lapse!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'lapsus', the past participle of 'labi' meaning 'to fall' or 'to slip'. The word entered Middle English through Old French and has retained its fundamental sense of a slip or falling away.
Breakdown
Latin 'lapsus' (fallen, slipped) from 'labi' (to fall, slip) = lapse (a temporary failure or slip in concentration, memory, or judgment)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My teacher had a hilarious lapse and called me by my dog's name.”
“After a lapse of ten years, the building permit expired.”
“Don't let your gym membership lapse just because you ate pizza once.”
“He lapsed into his childhood habit of biting his nails during the exam.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
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