antilapse
|an-ti-lapse|
/ˌæn.tɪˈlæps/
preventing a lapse
Etymology
'antilapse' originates from combining the prefix 'anti-' and the noun 'lapse'. 'anti-' ultimately comes from Greek 'anti' where it meant 'against', and 'lapse' comes from Latin 'lapsus' where it meant 'a slipping, fall'.
'antilapse' developed in modern legal English from the hyphenated phrase 'anti-lapse' (used to mark a rule countering lapse of gifts). 'Lapse' itself derives from Latin 'lapsus' (from the verb 'labi' 'to slip'), passed into English via Old French and Middle English before combining with the Greek-derived prefix 'anti-'.
Initially the elements meant 'against' + 'a slipping/fall'; over time the compound came to have the specialized legal meaning 'preventing the lapse (failure) of a testamentary gift'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a provision, rule, or doctrine (often called an antilapse statute) that prevents a testamentary gift from failing when the beneficiary dies before the donor.
Under the state's antilapse, the gift passed to the descendants of the deceased beneficiary.
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Adjective 1
designed to prevent a lapse (failure to take effect), especially used of provisions in wills or trusts that prevent a gift from failing when a beneficiary dies before the testator.
She included an antilapse clause in her will to protect gifts to her grandchildren.
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Last updated: 2025/09/02 14:46