lapse (
http://definr.com/lapse)
n 1: a mistake resulting from inattention [syn:
oversight]
2: a break or intermission in the occurrence of something; "a
lapse of three weeks between letters"
3: a failure to maintain a higher state [syn:
backsliding,
lapsing,
recidivism,
relapse,
relapsing,
reversion,
reverting]
v 1: pass into a specified state or condition: "He sank into
Nirvana" [syn:
sink,
pass]
2: end, at least for a long time; "The correspondence lapsed"
3: drop to a lower level; as in one's morals or standards [syn:
backslide]
4: go back to bad behavior; "Those who recidivate are often
minor criminals" [syn:
relapse,
recidivate,
regress,
retrogress,
fall back]
5: let slip; "He lapsed his membership"
6: pass by, as of time [syn:
elapse,
pass,
slip by, {glide
by},
slip away,
go by,
slide by,
go along]