Definition Definition

relapse - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'relapse' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Relapse [ v.]
- A sliding or falling back, especially into a former bad state, either of body or morals; backsliding; the state of having fallen back.
- One who has relapsed, or fallen back, into error; a backslider; specifically, one who, after recanting error, returns to it again.
2 . Relapse [ v. i.]
- To slip or slide back, in a literal sense; to turn back.
- 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.
- To fall from Christian faith into paganism, heresy, or unbelief; to backslide.

Meaning of 'relapse' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . relapse [ v]
Meaning (1):
- deteriorate in health
Example in sentence:
  • he relapsed
Meaning (2):
- go back to bad behavior
Example in sentence:
  • Those who recidivate are often minor criminals