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.
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. IX. 32. Ther weore the monnes lyf i-lost thorw lachesse [1377 lacchesse] of himselue.
1390. Gower, Conf., II. 1. The firste point of slouth I calle Lachesse.
c. 1420. Govt. Lordships (E.E.T.S.), 82. Some … engendryn sleuthe and lachesse.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 284. Latchesse [v.rr. lahches, lahchesse], or tarryynge, mora, tarditas.
1494. Will 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.
1574. trans. Littleton’s Tenures, 87 a. No laches may be adjudged by the lawe in him yt hath no discrecion.
a. 1626. Bacon, Maxims & Uses Com. Law, iv. (1630), 23. The reason of these cases is the default and laches of the grantor.
1660. R. Sheringham, King’s Suprem. Asserted, iv. (1682), 24. No laches, folly, infancy, or corruption of blood can be judged in him.
1741. T. Robinson, Gavelkind, II. ii. 172. The Laches of the Husband in gaining an actual Seisin by Entry.
1788. J. Powell, Devises (1827), II. 261. Though there be no default or laches on the part of the devisee himself, the devise fails.
1818. Cruise, 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.
1845. Stephen, Blackstone, II. 304. It is indeed laid down generally as a maxim, that no laches or negligence shall be imputed to an infant.
1894. Times, 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.
1844. Disraeli, Coningsby, II. i. 58. We may visit on the laches of this ministry the introduction of that new principle and power … Agitation.
1872. Geo. Eliot, Middlem., lii. (1873), 153. His conduct had shown laches which others … were free from.
1890. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Col. Reformer, I. 146. If he became temporarily abstracted while musing … the dog … would be sent round … to … warn him of his laches.
