lapse
/læps; læps/ n
1 small error, esp one caused by forgetfulness or inattention 小错; （尤指）记错, 疏忽:A brief lapse in the final set cost her the match. 她在最後一盘稍有失误而致比赛失败.
It was a superb performance, despite occasional lapses of intonation. 演出非常成功, 唯偶有音调失误.
2 ~ (from sth) (into sth) fall or departure from correct or usual standards; backsliding 堕落; 失足
Wives were expected to forgive their husbands' lapses, ie forgive them when they were unfaithful. 希望做妻子的原谅丈夫一时行为失检（不忠）.
The debate was marred by a brief lapse into unpleasant name-calling. 因出现几句谩骂, 辩论会不欢而散.
a lapse from grace, ie becoming out of favour 失宠.
3 passing of a period of time （时间的）流逝, 过去
after a lapse of six months 相隔六个月之後.
4 (law 律) ending of a right, etc because of disuse （权利等的）失效, 中止, 结束, 消失（因不行使所致）. lapse, v
1 [I, Ipr] ~ (from sth) (into sth) fail to maintain one's position or standard 未能保持自己的立场或标准
lapse back into bad habits 重又沾染坏习惯
a lapsed Catholic 叛教的天主教徒.
2 [Ipr] ~ into sth sink or pass gradually into sth 陷入或进入某状态
She lapsed into a coma. 她逐渐陷入昏迷状态.
3 [I] (law 律) (of rights and privileges) be lost or invalid because not used, claimed or renewed （指权利、 特权）（因未行使、 无要求或未延期）丧失, 失效
He didn't get any compensation because his insurance policy had lapsed. 他因保险单失效未得任何补偿.