Relapse
[rɪ'læps]
Definition
(verb.) go back to bad behavior; 'Those who recidivate are often minor criminals'.
Typist: Silvia--From WordNet
Definition
(v. i.) To slip or slide back, in a literal sense; to turn back.
(v. i.) To slide or turn back into a former state or practice; to fall back from some condition attained; -- generally in a bad sense, as from a state of convalescence or amended condition; as, to relapse into a stupor, into vice, or into barbarism; -- sometimes in a good sense; as, to relapse into slumber after being disturbed.
(v. i.) To fall from Christian faith into paganism, heresy, or unbelief; to backslide.
(v.) A sliding or falling back, especially into a former bad state, either of body or morals; backsliding; the state of having fallen back.
(v.) One who has relapsed, or fallen back, into error; a backslider; specifically, one who, after recanting error, returns to it again.
Typed by Lisa
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. n. Fall back, return to a former state (especially a bad state).
n. Falling back, return to a former state (especially a bad state).
Checked by Harriet
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Falling_back, retrogression,{returning_to_a_former_state_(especially_a_bad_state)}
ANT:Recovery, return, improvement
SYN:Retrogress, recede, deteriorate
ANT:Recover, amend, progress, advance, improve
Checker: Nathan
Definition
v.i. to slide sink or fall back: to return to a former state of practice: to backslide.—n. a falling back into a former bad state: (med.) the return of a disease after convalescence.—n. Relap′ser.—adj. Relap′sing.
Checker: Mimi
Examples
- Would he remember what took place in the relapse? Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- It was painful to my heart to acknowledge a sister so unnatural, and it caused another relapse. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- After a short relapse into sleep or stupor, he makes, of a sudden, a strong effort to get out of bed. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- A letter from Washington added to their trouble, for Mr. March had had a relapse, and could not think of coming home for a long while. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Isaac groaned deeply, and began to wring his hands, and to relapse into his state of desolation and despair. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Does his daughter know of the relapse? Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- Now I am clear again, though I dare not think of it too much for fear of a relapse. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- But when she went away, he relapsed under the misery of his dissolution. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Europe relapsed into universal insecurity. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Mr. Mallard departed to execute his commission; and Serjeant Snubbin relapsed into abstraction until Mr. Phunky himself was introduced. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- He was anxious to see if she had relapsed since the previous evening. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- For a time men have relapsed upon these national or imperial gods of theirs; it is but for a time. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- She received them both uncomplainingly, and having accepted them, relapsed into her grief. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Oh, dear me, Caddy, cried Mrs. Jellyby, who had relapsed into that distant contemplation, have you begun again? Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Beth kept on, with only slight relapses into idleness or grieving. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- After several relapses into business-absorption, Mr. Lorry had become the Doctor's friend, and the quiet street-corner was the sunny part of his life. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- By very slow degrees, and with frequent relapses, that alarmed and grieved my friend, I recovered. Mary Shelley. Frankenstein_Or_The Modern Prometheus.
- Whispering Sikes that there was no fear of her relapsing, Fagin took up his hat and bade him good-night. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- Besides which, she is so charmingly ugly,' relapsing into languor. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- She was by that time perseveringly dictating to Caddy, and Caddy was fast relapsing into the inky condition in which we had found her. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- I dustn't, says Jo, relapsing into the profile state. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- She was fast relapsing into stupor; nor did her mind again rally: at twelve o'clock that night she died. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- Ay,' murmured the sick woman, relapsing into her former drowsy state, 'what about her? Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- That is, you know, said Richard, relapsing into doubt, if it really is worth-while, after all, to make such a disturbance about nothing particular! Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
Checked by Ida