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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.

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Origin of laches

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English lachesse, from Anglo-French, variant of Middle French laschesse, derivative of Old French lasche “slack” (from Germanic ); see -ice

Words nearby laches

lacewood, lacework, Lacey, La Chaise, lachanophobia, laches, Lachesis, Lachine, Lachish, Lachlan, La Chorrera
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for laches

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