laches

From Anglo-Norman laches, from Old French lachesse (“laxness”), from laschier, from Vulgar Latin laxico, frequentative of Latin laxo (“relax, moderate, weaken”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈlætʃɪz/ (UK)
• Homophone: latches

laches

1. (law) An unreasonable delay in bringing a claim alleging a wrong, which means the person who waited shall not be permitted to seek an equitable remedy because the delay prejudiced the moving party. Sleeping on one's rights.
   • Macaulay

     It ill became him to take advantage of such a laches with the eagerness of a shrewd attorney.

• W. Martin; G[uy] A. J. Tops, et al. (1998) Van Dale Groot Woordenboek Engels–Nederlands [Van Dale Great Dictionary, English–Dutch], volume I, 3rd edition, Utrecht; Antwerp: Van Dale Lexicografie, ISBN 978-90-6648-143-5.

• laches at OneLook Dictionary Search

• cashel, chelas, sachel

laches

1. plural of lach