laches

[ lach-iz ]

/ ˈlætʃ ɪz /

noun (used with a singular verb) Law.

failure to do something at the proper time, especially such delay as will bar a party from bringing a legal proceeding.

Nearby words

lacewing, lacewood, lacework, lacey, lachaise, laches, lachesis, lachine, lachish, lachlan, lachryma christi

Origin of laches

1325–75; Middle English lachesse < Anglo-French, variant of Middle French laschesse, derivative of Old French lasche slack (< Gmc); see -ice

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for laches

And on rent-day we shall ask the man to wait till Laches of Collytus is dead; he shall have it after the wedding.
The Works of Lucian of Samosata, v. 4|Lucian of Samosata
The characters of Nicias and Laches are indicated by their opinions on the exhibition of the man fighting in heavy armour.
Laches|Plato
Some points of resemblance, and some points of difference, appear in the Laches when compared with the Charmides and Lysis.
Laches|Plato
I particularly observed how superior he was to Laches in presence of mind.
Symposium|Plato

In the Charmides, as also in the Laches, he is described as middle-aged; in the Lysis he is advanced in years.
Lysis|Plato

British Dictionary definitions for laches

laches

/ (ˈlætʃɪz) /

noun

law negligence or unreasonable delay in pursuing a legal remedy

Word Origin for laches

C14 lachesse, via Old French lasche slack, from Latin laxus lax

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012