Verb
in those coin-operated binoculars at scenic areas your viewing time seems to elapse almost before it has begun
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Verb
Our solar system formed a mere 4.6 billion years ago, after two thirds of cosmic time had already elapsed, and life seems to have happened here almost as soon as Earth cooled down from its fiery birth to harbor oceans of liquid water.—Conor Feehly, Scientific American, 4 Mar. 2025 With just days before the current truce elapses on Sunday, the sides have yet to begin negotiations for an extension.—Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
Eitan may never be freed if the Israeli government, under pressure from its right-wing base, renews its efforts to defeat Hamas once those six weeks elapse.—Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025 Had Smith allowed one more second to elapse, the fight would have gone the distance and the judges would have been called into action.—Simon Head, Newsweek, 12 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for elapse
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Latin elapsus, past participle of elabi, from e- + labi to slip — more at sleep
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