elapse

[ih-laps]

verb (used without object)

elapsed, elapsing 

1. (of time) to slip or pass by.

   Thirty minutes elapsed before the performance began.

noun

1. the passage or termination of a period of time; lapse.

elapse

/ ɪˈlæps /

verb

1. (intr) (of time) to pass by

Other Word Forms

• unelapsed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of elapse¹

1635–45; < Latin ēlapsus (past participle of ēlābī to slip away), equivalent to e- e- ¹ + lab- slip + -sus for -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of elapse¹

C17: from Latin ēlābī to slip away, from lābī to slip, glide

Example Sentences

"I fully accept that you are profoundly concerned about the time that has now elapsed - seven years - between the first report to Operation Stringent and where the investigation now sits," she wrote.

From BBC

Metropolitan Police counter-terror officers assessed the "kill your MP" footage but said the group would face no further action, partly because the time limit for prosecution had elapsed.

From BBC

When Beirne won the breakdown penalty in its wake, 19 seconds had elapsed.

From BBC

The court was told that one minute and 23 seconds elapsed between the officers arriving and Mr Burgess being Tasered.

From BBC

But the CPS decided against bringing charges due to insufficient evidence, difficulties identifying the perpetrators and too much time having elapsed since one of the incidents.

From BBC

Related Words

• expire 
• pass by 
• transpire