Etymology From Latin relapsus, past participle of relabi (“to slide back, fall back”), from re- (“back”) + labi (“to slip, slide, fall”).
1
To fall back again; to slide or turn back into a former state or practice.
He has improved recently but keeps relapsing into states of utter confusion.
to relapse into a stupor, into vice, or into barbarism
2 more examples
to relapse into slumber after being disturbed
Then we relapsed into a discomfited silence, and wished we were anywhere else. But Miss Thorn relieved the situation by laughing aloud, and with such a hearty enjoyment that instead of getting angry and more mortified we began to laugh ourselves, and instantly felt better.1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter V, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:
2
Medicine, SciencesOf a disease To recur; to worsen, be aggravated (after a period of improvement).
3
Informal, Specifically To return to a vice, especially self-harm or alcoholism, failing to maintain abstinence.
relapsed after 5 months of being clean
4
To slip or slide back physically; to turn back.
You slip your hold and change your side, Relapsing from a necessary guide.1700, [John] Dryden, “The Hind and the Panther”, in Fables Ancient and Modern; […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
Etymology From Latin relapsus, past participle of relabi (“to slide back, fall back”), from re- (“back”) + labi (“to slip, slide, fall”).
1
The act or situation of relapsing.
a drug relapse
Alas! from what high hope to what relapse / Unlooked for are we fallen!1671, John Milton, “The Second Book”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC:
2
Medicine, Sciences An occasion when a person becomes ill again after a period of improvement
3
Obsolete One who has relapsed, or fallen back into error; a backslider.