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laches

Syllabification: (lach·es)
Pronunciation: /ˈlaCHiz/

Definition of laches

noun

Law
  • unreasonable delay in making an assertion or claim, such as asserting a right, claiming a privilege, or making an application for redress, which may result in refusal.

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'slackness, negligence'): from Old French laschesse, from lasche 'loose, lax', based on Latin laxus. The current sense dates from the late 16th century

laches in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of laches in the British & World English dictionary