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lapsus

lapse

noun LAHP-soos Rare
Mind & Emotions Mental States

Origin: Latin lapsus (a slip, a fall), from labi (to slip).

Also means

slip, slip of the tongue

Usage Note

Lapsus is an invariable masculine noun — both singular and plural are lapsus. The phrase lapsus linguae ('slip of the tongue') and lapsus calami ('slip of the pen') are used in educated Spanish. In everyday speech a lapsus is a momentary memory failure or verbal slip, distinct from a deliberate mistake. The word was popularised in psychology through Freudian 'Freudian slip' discussions.

Examples

"Cometió un lapsus y llamó mal a su jefe."

Natural Translation

He had a lapse and called his boss by the wrong name.

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