lapse /læps/ I. n. ［c］1. 小错，记错：His lapse into drunkenness followed a long run of bad luck.他的酗酒恶习带来了一连串的不幸。2. 时间流逝：after a lapse of five years(months)事隔五年（月）之后‖II. vi.失足，堕落：He soon lapsed into his previous bad habits.他很快陷入以前的恶习中去。