Emily Dickinson Lexicon

lapse, n. [L. lapsāre, a slip or fall.] (webplay: caution, dies, failing, faith, passing, renew, shorten, time).

1. Passage; interval; intervening period.
2. Break; pause; cessation; period of rest; interval of respite.
3. Loss; removal; slipping off; [fig.] decay; death.