Obs. Also 5 lacches, latches. [alteration of lache, LASH a., influenced by LACHES sb. or LACHOUS.] a. Loose, lewd, wanton. b. Lax, careless, remiss. Hence † Lachesness.
c. 1425. St. 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.
1461[?]. Paston Lett., No. 428, II. 72. For cause ye wer to laches, and cam not in tyme, the mater yede a mys. Ibid. (1481–4), 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.
1543–4. Act 35 Hen. VIII., c. 11 § 1. Some of the said shiriffes … haue ben negligent and laches.
