Pronunciation: [ɹɪlˈapsɪŋ] (IPA) 
The word "relapsing" is spelled with two syllables: "re" and "lapsing". The first syllable has the IPA symbol /rɪ/, which is pronounced like the word "rip" without the final sound. The second syllable has the IPA symbol /læpsɪŋ/, which is pronounced like "lapsing" with an added /ɪ/ sound before the /ŋ/ sound. "Relapsing" is a verb that means returning to a previous state, typically related to illness or addiction.
Relapsing is the act or process of recurring or returning to a previous state, condition, behavior, or pattern, particularly after a temporary period of improvement or recovery. It refers to the backsliding or regression into a former undesirable state or negative behavior that was previously overcome or left behind. Typically associated with medical or psychological contexts, relapsing often pertains to the recurrence or reappearance of symptoms or conditions after a period of partial or complete remission.
In medicine, relapsing commonly refers to the recurrence of symptoms or the return of a disease or illness, especially chronic conditions that have periods of remission and exacerbation. It implies that the patient experiences a setback or decline in their health, requiring further treatment or intervention. Similarly, in the realm of mental health, relapsing depicts the recurrence of symptoms or a return to maladaptive behaviors or substance abuse following a period of improvement or sobriety.
The term can also extend beyond the medical field to describe the recurrence of undesirable patterns or habits in everyday life. For instance, someone struggling with addiction may experience multiple instances of relapsing despite their best efforts to remain abstinent. In broader terms, relapsing can refer to the relapse or reversion to any negative behavior, such as overeating, procrastination, or engaging in destructive relationships.
Overall, relapsing signifies the recurrence or return to a previous and unwanted state, usually highlighting the need for renewed effort, intervention, or treatment to reclaim a healthier or more desirable condition.
Recurring, said of a disease which returns in a new attack after convalescence has begun.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
* 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 "relapsing" is derived from the verb "relapse". The term originates from the Latin word "relabi", which means "to slide back" or "to fall back". The Latin word is a combination of the prefix "re-" (meaning "back" or "again") and the verb "labi" (meaning "to slide" or "to glide"). Over time, the term "relapse" has been used to refer to the recurrence or worsening of a condition, often after a period of improvement or recovery.
