Lapse - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition lapse

lapse

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: a termination or failure due to events, neglect, or time: as
a : the failure of a bequest (as because the intended recipient dies before the testator) compare anti-lapse statute
b : the termination of an insurance policy because of nonpayment of premiums or nonrenewal
vb lapsed
laps·ing
vi
: to terminate, become ineffective, or fail [the bequest lapsed when the son died before the father] [allowed the insurance policy to ]
vt
: to cause (as a policy) to lapse [the company lapsed the policy]