词典释义：
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. 第二局时她因一时走神而输掉了比赛。
a weak or careless decline from previously high standards
（因意志不坚定或不慎而）堕落
-
tracing his lapse into petty crime .追踪他小打小闹地作奸犯科的缘由。
【律】 （权利，特权的）终止；丧失。
an interval or passage of time
时间间隔，时间段
-
there was a considerable lapse of time between the two events .两次事件之间有一段相当长的间隔。
(of a right, privilege, or agreement)become invalid because it is not used, claimed, or renewed; expire
（权利，特权的）终止；丧失；（协议的）到期，满期；失效
-
he let his membership of CND lapse .他中止了自己的核裁军运动成员的身份。
(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 .如果你已停止节食，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 .一个离经叛道的天主教徒。
(
逐渐往坏里变化；堕落为，陷入
-
the country has lapsed into chaos .该国已陷入混乱状态。
revert to (a previous or more familiar style of speaking or behaviour)
回复（先前或习惯的言语或行为方式）
-
the girls lapsed into French .姑娘们又改说她们习惯的法语了。
"late Middle English： from Latin
