The spelling of the word "lapses" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The initial "l" sound is represented by the symbol /l/. The following "a" sound is represented by the symbol /æ/. The "p" sound is represented by the symbol /p/, and the final "s" sound is represented by the symbol /s/. Therefore, the IPA pronunciation of "lapses" is /ˈlæpsɪz/. This word refers to a temporary failure or error, often related to memory or judgement.
Lapses refer to instances or periods of time in which there is a temporary failure, decline, or interruption in the continuity, performance, or execution of something. It commonly denotes a departure from a standard, normal, or expected course of action or behavior, often resulting in an error, mistake, omission, or negligence.
In terms of memory or attention, a lapse describes the failure to remember or pay attention to something, resulting in forgetfulness or distraction. It can imply a momentary break or loss in concentration or focus.
In the context of ethics or morality, a lapse signifies a temporary deviation or slip in one's behavior, typically indicating a failure to adhere to certain principles, standards, or values. This could involve a brief period of misconduct, unethical conduct, or a mistake in judgment.
Lapses can also be used to refer to a period of time that has passed or elapsed, particularly when discussing legal or contractual deadlines, limitations, or statutes of limitations. In this sense, it refers to the expiring or running out of a specified period.
Overall, the term "lapses" encompasses various situations where there is a temporary deviation, interruption, or failure from what is considered correct, expected, or required in a particular context, encompassing failures in performance, memory, attention, behavior, judgment, and adherence to deadlines or regulations.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "lapses" originated from the Latin word "lapsus", which is the past participle form of the verb "labi", meaning "to slip" or "to fall". The term "lapsus" has been adapted into English to refer to a temporary or accidental failure or slip-up, which is why we use the word "lapses" to describe such instances.