LAPSING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does lapsing mean? 

• LAPSING (noun)
  The noun LAPSING has 1 sense:

1. a failure to maintain a higher state

  Familiarity information: LAPSING used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LAPSING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A failure to maintain a higher state

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

backsliding; lapse; lapsing; relapse; relapsing; reversion; reverting

Hypernyms ("lapsing" is a kind of...):

failure (an act that fails)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "lapsing"):

recidivism (habitual relapse into crime)

 Context examples 

I don't like this lapsing into forgetfulness; it may make or continue some injury to the brain.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

I had not yet had a glimmering of unconsciousness, and it seemed that an interminable period of time was lapsing before I heard her feet flying back.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Certain it was that I was lapsing into sleep, the open-eyed sleep of one who yields to a sweet fascination, when there came through the snow-stilled air a long, low wail, so full of woe and pity that it woke me like the sound of a clarion.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)