læps læps ˈlæpsɪŋ ˈoʊvə(ɹ)ˌsaɪt ɹɪˈlæps ɹɪˈlæps ɹɪˈvɜːʒən sɪŋk a failure to maintain a higher state a mistake resulting from inattention go back to bad behavior Those who recidivate are often minor criminals drop to a lower level, as in one's morals or standards end, at least for a long time The correspondence lapsed pass into a specified state or condition; sink into He sank into nirvana for time to move forward three years elapsed let slip He lapsed his membership a break or intermission in the occurrence of something a lapse of three weeks between letters