| v. i. | 1. | To slip or slide back, in a literal sense; to turn back. |
| 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; | |
| 3. | (Theol.) To fall from Christian faith into paganism, heresy, or unbelief; to backslide. | |
| n. | 1. | A sliding or falling back, especially into a former bad state, either of body or morals; backsliding; the state of having fallen back. |
| 2. | One who has relapsed, or fallen back, into error; a backslider; specifically, one who, after recanting error, returns to it again. |
| Noun | 1. | relapse - a failure to maintain a higher state |
| Verb | 1. | relapse - deteriorate in health; "he relapsed" Synonyms: get worse |
| 2. | relapse - go back to bad behavior; "Those who recidivate are often minor criminals" |
RELAPSE. The condition of one who, after having abandoned a course of vice, returns to it again. Vide Recidive.
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