n. In ecclesiastical law . The transfer, by forfeiture, of a right to present or collate to a vacant benefice from a person vested with such right to another, in consequence of some act of negligeuce by the former. Ayl. Par. 331. In the law of wills. The failure of a testamentary gift in consequence of the death of the devisee or legatee during the life of the testator. In criminal proceedings , “lapse” is used, In England, iu the same sense as “abate” in ordinary procedure; i. e., to signify that the proceedings came to an end by the death of one of the parties or some other event.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
