a. and sb. Sc. Obs. [f. L. tri-, TRI- + laps-us pa. pple. fallen, sb. a fall.] A. adj. That has fallen for the third time into a sin or offence; also said of the offence.
1593. in Maitl. Cl. Misc., I. 56. James Pirrhie trilaps in adultery. Ibid. (1597), 128. Hellen Allan … confessis … that the samin fault is trelaps in hir persone.
1600. Presbyt. Rec. Stirling, in Ferguson, Alex. Hume (1899), 282. The penalties paid by adulterers and trelaps fornicaturs to be devoted to the reparatione of ye brig of Tullibody.
1651. Humbie Kirk-sess. Rec., in Maitl. Cl. Misc., I. 440. Declaring her to the session to be trilapse in fornication.
B. sb. A third lapse or fall (into a sin or offence).
1651. in Maitl. Cl. Misc., I, 441. Isobell Spence entred in sackcloth … to give satisfaction for her trilapse in [= into] fornication.
1725. Presbyt. Rec., in Cramond, Ann. Banff (1893), II. 82. George Barclay had openly confessed his trelapse.
1776. in J. Mill, Diary (1889), 133. This being a relapse to the woman and a trelapse to the man.
Hence † Trilapser (tre-) Sc. Obs. rare–1, one who lapses or falls a third time.
1649. Rec. Dingwall Presb. (S. H. S.), 148. Trelapsers in fornication be brought before the Presbyterie.
