Relapse
from
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
relapse
n 1: a failure to maintain a higher state [syn: {backsliding},
{lapse}, {lapsing}, {relapse}, {relapsing}, {reversion},
{reverting}]
v 1: deteriorate in health; "he relapsed" [syn: {get worse},
{relapse}] [ant: {bounce back}, {get over}, {get well}]
2: go back to bad behavior; "Those who recidivate are often
minor criminals" [syn: {relapse}, {lapse}, {recidivate},
{regress}, {retrogress}, {fall back}]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Relapse \Re*lapse"\ (r?-l?ps"), v. 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.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
That task performed, [preachers] relapse into
themselves. --Cowper.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Theol.) To fall from Christian faith into paganism,
heresy, or unbelief; to backslide.
[1913 Webster]
They enter into the justified state, and so continue
all along, unless they relapse. --Waterland.
[1913 Webster]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Relapse \Re*lapse"\, n. [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.
[1913 Webster]
Alas! from what high hope to what relapse
Unlooked for are we fallen! --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
2. One who has relapsed, or fallen back, into error; a
backslider; specifically, one who, after recanting error,
returns to it again. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
from
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
105 Moby Thesaurus words for "relapse":
about-face, apostasy, backing, backset, backslide, backsliding,
backward motion, backward step, cock, decline, degenerate,
degeneration, deteriorate, deterioration, disenchantment,
disimprove, fade, fading, fail, failing, failure, fall,
fall again into, fall astern, fall back, fall behind,
fall from grace, falling back, flip-flop, get back, get behind,
get worse, go back, go backwards, go behind, grow worse,
have a relapse, jerk back, lapse, lapse back, lapsing, let down,
lose ground, pull back, reaction, recede, recession, recidivate,
recidivation, recidivism, reclamation, reconversion, recur to,
reentry, refluence, reflux, regress, regressing, regression,
rehabilitation, reinstatement, restitution, restoration, retreat,
retroaction, retrocede, retrocession, retroflex, retroflexion,
retrogradation, retrograde, retrogress, retrogression,
retroversion, retrovert, retrusion, return, return to, returning,
reversal, reverse, reversion, revert, revert to, reverting,
revulsion, rollback, setback, sicken, sink, sink back, sinking,
slacken, slide back, slip back, slipping back, sternway, throwback,
turn, turnabout, weaken, weakening, worsen, worsening,
yield again to
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