lapsing

2 definitions found

lapsing - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              A tendency to lapse into the barbarity of those
              northern nations from whom we are descended.
                                                    --Swift.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Homer, in his characters of Vulcan and Thersites,
              has lapsed into the burlesque character. --Addison.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              To lapse in fullness
              Is sorer than to lie for need.        --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  If the archbishop shall not fill it up within
                  six months ensuing, it lapses to the king.
                                                    --Ayliffe.
            [1913 Webster]

lapsing - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  lapsing
      n 1: a failure to maintain a higher state [syn: backsliding,
           lapse, lapsing, relapse, relapsing, reversion,
           reverting]