'Relapse' definitions:
Definition of 'relapse'
From: WordNet
noun
A failure to maintain a higher state [syn: backsliding, lapse, lapsing, relapse, relapsing, reversion, reverting]
verb
Deteriorate in health; "he relapsed" [syn: get worse, relapse] [ant: bounce back, get over, get well]
verb
Go back to bad behavior; "Those who recidivate are often minor criminals" [syn: relapse, lapse, recidivate, regress, retrogress, fall back]
Definition of 'Relapse'
From: GCIDE
- 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]
Definition of 'Relapse'
From: GCIDE
- 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]
Synonyms of 'relapse'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- 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