laches noun. ['lɑ:tʃɪz] LME.
[Anglo-Norman laches(se) = Old French laschesse (mod. lâchesse cowardice), from lasche (mod. lâche): see LASH adjective, -ESS².]
1. Slackness, remissness, negligence. Also, an act or habit of neglect. LME-L15.

2. Law. Delay in asserting a right, claiming a privilege, or making application for redress such as to bar its being granted. Also (now rare), negligence in the performance of a legal duty. L16.
b. gen. Culpable negligence. M19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲