释义 |
▪ I. laches, n.|ˈlætʃɪz| Also 4 lacchesse, 5 latches(se, 7 lasches, lachess, 4–7 lachesse. [a. OF. laschesse, AF. lachesse, laches, f. OF. lasche: see lash a. and -ess2. For the form cf. riches.] †1. Slackness, remissness, negligence; also, an act or habit of neglect. Obs.
1362Langl. P. Pl. A. ix. 32 Ther weore the monnes lyf i-lost thorw lachesse [1377 lacchesse] of himselue. 1390Gower Conf. II. 1 The firste point of slouth I calle Lachesse. c1420Govt. Lordships (E.E.T.S.) 82 Some..engendryn sleuthe and lachesse. 1440Promp. Parv. 284 Latchesse [v. rr. lahches, lahchesse], or tarryynge, mora, tarditas. 1494Will Mongomery (Somerset Ho.), To pardone me of the laches of my prevy tythes. 2. Law. Negligence in the performance of any legal duty; delay in asserting a right, claiming a privilege, or making application for redress.
1574tr. Littleton's Tenures 87 a, No laches may be adjudged by the lawe in him yt hath no discrecion. a1626Bacon Maxims & Uses Com. Law iv. (1630) 23 The reason of these cases is the default and laches of the grantor. 1660R. Sheringham King's Suprem. Asserted iv. (1682) 24 No laches, folly, infancy, or corruption of blood can be judged in him. 1741Robinson Gavelkind ii. ii. 172 The Laches of the Husband in gaining an actual Seisin by Entry. 1788J. Powell Devises (1827) II. 261 Though there be no default or laches on the part of the devisee himself, the devise fails. 1818Cruise Digest (ed. 2) IV. 493 The right of renewal may be forfeited by the laches of the tenant, in not applying for a renewal within the time mentioned in the lease. 1845Stephen Blackstone II. 304 It is indeed laid down generally as a maxim, that no laches or negligence shall be imputed to an infant. 1894Times 5 Feb. 3/3 To decide whether the party applying has not, by laches or misconduct, lost his right to the writ. b. transf. Culpable negligence in general.
1844Disraeli Coningsby ii. i. 58 We may visit on the laches of this ministry the introduction of that new principle and power..Agitation. 1872Geo. Eliot Middlem. lii. (1873) 153 His conduct had shown laches which others..were free from. 1890‘Rolf Boldrewood’ Col. Reformer I. 146 If he became temporarily abstracted while musing..the dog..would be sent round..to..warn him of his laches. ▪ II. † ˈlaches, a. Obs. Also 5 lacches, latches. [alteration of lache, lash a., influenced by laches n. or lachous.] a. Loose, lewd, wanton. b. Lax, careless, remiss. Hence † ˈlachesness.
c1425St. Mary of Oignies i. x. in Anglia VIII. 145/41 Fonned wymmen..þat wiþ hir vntoune and lacches songes kyndeliþ þe fyre of lecchery. Ibid. 146/41 Woo to ȝow þat are lacches, slepynge in softe shetys. 1461Paston Lett. No. 428 II. 72 For cause ye wer to laches, and cam not in tyme, the mater yede a mys. 1481–4Ibid. No. 859 III. 279 Her mynde hathe ben other weys ocapyed than as to huswyfery, whyche semyth welle by the latchesnes of the tylthe of her landes. 1543–4Act 35 Hen. VIII, c. 11 §1 Some of the said shiriffes..haue ben negligent and laches. ▪ III. † ˈlaches, laˈchesse, v. Obs. [f. laches n.] a. intr. To be idle, careless. b. trans. To neglect, slight. Also with inf. as object.
1413Pilgr. Sowle i. xxiv. (1859) 29 He, as a fool, hath lachessed, and lost his tyme in veray vanyte. c1425Found. St. Bartholomew's (E.E.T.S.) 6 Tymorosely he dred to laches the preceptis of the Apostle. Ibid. 52 Youre Patrone by specyal priuylege grawntid of God to yow ȝe lacches to calle. 1478Paston Lett. No. 811 III. 216 Let it not be lachesyd, but with effect aplyed now. ▪ IV. laches obs. form of latch. |