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

²re·lapse

intransitive verb \ri-ˈlaps\

re·lapsedre·laps·ing

Definition of RELAPSE

1

: to slip or fall back into a former worse state

2

: sink, subside <relapse into deep thought>

— re·laps·er noun

Examples of RELAPSE

1. If you don't continue your treatment, you could relapse.
2. Malaria can relapse years after the original infection.
3. The country soon relapsed into chaos.
4. She stayed out of trouble for a long time, but then she relapsed into her old ways.

First Known Use of RELAPSE

circa 1534