elapse
/ɪˈlæps/verb★Intermediate
formal
to pass or go by, especially time
The meeting will elapse in an hour.
The meeting will end or pass in an hour.
Time elapses quickly when you're having fun.
Time passes quickly when you're having fun.
💡
Often used with time-related nouns like 'hours', 'minutes', or 'days'.
Collocations
time elapsestime passesa period elapsesa period of time passes
Synonyms
Antonyms
💡Pro Tip
Common Usage
Use 'elapse' when referring to the passage of time in a formal or technical context.
📖Word Origin
From Middle English 'elapsen', from Latin 'elapsus', past participle of 'elabi' (to slip out), from 'e-' (out) + 'labi' (to slip).
📝Usage Notes
Often used in formal or technical contexts to describe the passage of time in a precise or measured way.
Word Breakdown
e-
out
prefixlapse
to slip or pass
rootEnglish Dictionary