1. The termination of a right or privilege because of a failure to exercise it within some time limit or because a contingency has occurred or not occurred.
2. Wills & estates. The failure of a testamentary gift, esp. when the beneficiary dies before the testator dies. See ANTILAPSE STATUTE. Cf. ADEMPTION. [Cases: Wills 774–777. C.J.S. Wills §§ 1791–1808.]
lapse, vb.
1. (Of an estate or right) to pass away or revert to someone else because conditions have not been fulfilled or because a person entitled to possession has failed in some duty. See lapsed policy under INSURANCE POLICY.
2. (Of a devise, grant, etc.) to become void.
