arch. [f. prec. vb.: cf. LAPSE sb.]
1. A flowing out or away; fig. an emanation, effluence (of divine grace, etc.).
a. 1677. Barrow, Serm. (1686), III. 426. The sweet elapses of spiritual consolation in devotion.
a. 1703. Pomfret, Rem. (1724), 9. Some nobler Bard, O Sacred Power … th’ Elapses to receive.
1811. Pinkerton, Petral., II. 370. The under current continues to flow; so that upon its complete elapse, the space remains void.
2. Expiration, lapse, passing away (of time).
1793. Anna Seward, in Parr’s Wks. (1828), VIII. 464. The distinctions of Whig and Tory … have lost their force during the elapse of many years.
1800. Essay on Ramsay, in Ramsay’s Wks. (1848), I. 70. The elapse of a few months justified the poet’s foresight.
c. 1800. K. White, Time, 275. The past is … an elapse Which hath no mensuration.
1823. Monthly Mag., LV. 517. They considered Daniel’s seventy weeks of years on the brink of elapse.
1883. F. W. Potter, French Celeb., II. 109. After an elapse of two decades.
