relapse

¹re·lapse

noun \ri-ˈlaps, ˈrē-ˌ\

Definition of RELAPSE

1

: the act or an instance of backsliding, worsening, or subsiding

2

: a recurrence of symptoms of a disease after a period of improvement

Examples of RELAPSE

1. Everyone thought she was well until a sudden relapse sent her back to the hospital.
2. a drug addict who has had a relapse
3. a drug addict who has a history of relapse

Origin of RELAPSE

Middle English, from Medieval Latin relapsus, from Latin relabi to slide back, from re- + labi to slide — more at sleep

First Known Use: 15th century

Rhymes with RELAPSE

collapse, elapse, perhaps, prolapse, synapse, time-lapse