lapse

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 a small mistake, especially one that is caused by forgetting sth or by being careless: a lapse of concentration / memory * A momentary lapse in the final set cost her the match. 2 a period of time between two things that happen: After a lapse of six months we met up again. * He wrote to us after a considerable lapse of time. 3 an example or period of bad behaviour from sb who normally behaves well: I forgot to thank her for the invitation but I don't think she noticed my lapse. verb [V] 1 (of a contract, an agreement, etc.) to be no longer valid because the period of time that it lasts has come to an end: She had allowed her membership to lapse. * The treaty lapsed in 1995. 2 to gradually become weaker or come to an end: His concentration lapsed after a few minutes. * This custom had lapsed over the years. 3 ~ (from sth) to stop believing in or practising your religion: He lapsed from Judaism when he was a student. lapsed adjective [onlybeforenoun]: a lapsed subscription * lapsed faith * a lapsed Catholic PHRASALVERBS lapse into sth 1 to gradually pass into a worse or less active state or condition: to lapse into unconsciousness / a coma * She lapsed into silence again. 2 to start speaking or behaving in a different way, often one that is less acceptable: He soon lapsed back into his old ways.