Lapsed
[læpst]
Definition
(imp. & p. p.) of Lapse
(a.) Having slipped downward, backward, or away; having lost position, privilege, etc., by neglect; -- restricted to figurative uses.
(a.) Ineffectual, void, or forfeited; as, a lapsed policy of insurance; a lapsed legacy.
Edited by Diana
Examples
- When at last she left you, you lapsed at once into deep reverie: you betook yourself slowly to pace the gallery. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- I asked leave to-- He lapsed away, even for minutes, ringing those measured changes on his hands the whole time. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- The Greeks and Latins lapsed very easily again into republics, and so did the Aryans in India. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- But she was beginning to feel the strain of the attitude; the reaction was more rapid, and she lapsed to a deeper self-disgust. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- He spoke regretfully and lapsed for a moment into his weary condition. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- But he soon lapsed again and took control much as before. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- She had lapsed into an easy and dignified calm, far removed from the intensity of life in her words of solicitude for Clym's safety. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- I had lapsed into a stupid state; but I was recovering a little and looking forward to Steerforth, albeit Mr. Creakle loomed behind him. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- They lapsed into silence. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- They both lapsed into silence, with their eyes upon the fire. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- These Licinian laws had repeatedly been revived and repeatedly lapsed to a dead letter again. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- She lapsed into her inarticulate sounds, and unconsciously drew forth the article which she was fingering. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- She possessed him so utterly and intolerably, that she herself lapsed out. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Moreover, it had become a religion with him to preserve in good condition all that had lapsed from his mother's hands to his own. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- His mind was almost submerged, he was almost transfused, lapsed out for the first time in his life, into the things about him. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Go and order another like it, or a better if you can get it, said the old gentleman and lapsed again into silence. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Nevertheless--' They both lapsed into silence. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- The red automaton opposite lapsed into silence, nodded, and followed his example. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
Edited by Diana