RELAPSES
Verb
relapses
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of relapse
Anagrams
• pearless, pleasers, presales, sales rep
Source: Wiktionary
RELAPSE
Re*lapse" (r-lps"), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Relapsed (-lpst"); p. pr. &
vb. n. Relapsing.] Etym: [L.relapsus, p. p. of relabi to slip back,
to relapse; pref. re- re- + labi to fall, slip, slide. See Lapse.]
1. To slip or slide back, in a literal sense; to turn back. [Obs.]
Dryden.
2. 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 relaps
into a stupor, into vice, or into barbarism; -- sometimes in a good
sense; as, to relapse into slumber after being disturbed.
That task performed, [preachers] relapse into themselves. Cowper.
3. (Theol.)
Definition: To fall from Christian faith into paganism, heresy, or
unbelief; to backslide.
They enter into the justified state, and so continue all along,
unless they relapse. Waterland.
Re*lapse", n. Etym: [For sense 2 cf. F. relaps. See Relapse, v.]
1. A sliding or falling back, especially into a former bad state,
either of body or morals; backsliding; the state of having fallen
back.
Alas! from what high hope to what relapse Unlooked for are we fallen!
Milton.
2. One who has relapsed, or fallen back, into error; a backlider;
specifically, one who, after recanting error, returns to it again.
[Obs.]
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition