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Webster 1913 Edition

Relapse

Re-lapse′

(r?-l?ps′)
,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Relapsed
(-l?pst′)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Relapsing
.]
[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
relapse
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.)
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′

,
Noun.
[For sense 2 cf. F.
relaps
. See
Relapse
,
Verb.
]
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 backslider; specifically, one who, after recanting error, returns to it again.
[Obs.]

Webster 1828 Edition

Relapse

RELAPSE

,
Verb.
I.
relaps'. [L. relapsus, relabor, to slide back; re and labor, to slide.]
1.
To slip or slide back; to return.
2.
To fall back; to return to a former state or practice; as, to relapse into vice or error after amendment.
3.
To fall back or return from recovery or a convalescent state; as, to relapse into a fever.

RELAPSE

,
Noun.
relaps'. A sliding or falling back, particularly into a former bad state, either of body or of morals; as a relapse into a disease from a convalescent state; a relapse into a vicious course of life. [In the sense of a person relapsing, not used.]

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