The Clue
Temporary decline (5 letter answer)
The Answer
LAPSE
Tags
Notes
The answer LAPSE is seen frequently, appearing about once every 190 puzzles.
Related Clues
Apostasy
Backslide
Decline
Discontinuance
Error
Expire
Failure
Go by
Indiscretion
Misdeed
Oversight
Slip
Break in concentration
Come to an end
Concentration problem
Expire, as a subscription
Fall from grace
Faux pas
Judgment problem
Memory gap
Memory glitch
Run out
Slight error
Slip of the tongue
Slip-up
Small error
Fall into disuse
Run out, as a subscription
Word with time or memory
Definition
LAPSE as a noun:
1. (oversight, lapse) = a mistake resulting from inattention
2. a break or intermission in the occurrence of something; "a lapse of three weeks between letters"
3. (backsliding, lapse, lapsing, relapse, relapsing, reversion, reverting) = a failure to maintain a higher state
LAPSE as a verb:
1. (sink, pass, lapse) = pass into a specified state or condition; "He sank into Nirvana"
2. end, at least for a long time; "The correspondence lapsed"
3. (lapse, backslide) = drop to a lower level, as in one's morals or standards
4. (relapse, lapse, recidivate, regress, retrogress, fall back) = go back to bad behavior; "Those who recidivate are often minor criminals"
5. let slip; "He lapsed his membership"
6. (elapse, lapse, pass, slip by, glide by, slip away, go by, slide by, go along) = pass by; "three years elapsed"