Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having passed or slipped by: Refers specifically to time that has already gone by or been completed. It describes a period that is now in the past relative to a point of reference.

Usage

• The word "elapsed" is used to quantify or qualify a period of time that has finished. It is often used in technical, formal, or precise contexts (e.g., computing, science, law) but is also common in general English.
• It typically modifies nouns like "time," "period," "hours," "minutes," etc.
• Example:
• It is not typically used for future or ongoing time periods.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The elapsed time between the start and finish of the race was just under two hours.
  • Please check the elapsed duration on the timer.
  • A significant amount of time had elapsed since their last meeting. (Note: Here "elapsed" is the past participle of the verb "elapse," used in a perfect tense construction.)

Advanced Usage

• "Elapsed" as a past participle: While "elapsed" is commonly an adjective, it is also the standard past participle of the verb "elapse." In this function, it is used with auxiliary verbs (e.g., has/have/had elapsed) to form perfect tenses.
  • Ten years have elapsed since the treaty was signed.
• In computing and technology: Often used in phrases like "elapsed real time" or "CPU elapsed time" to measure the actual time taken for a process to complete.

Variants and Related Words

• Elapse (verb): (Of time) to pass or go by.
  • Several minutes elapsed before anyone spoke.
• Lapse (noun/verb): A slight error or a temporary failure; to become invalid. (Note: While related in concept of time passing, "lapse" has different primary meanings concerning errors or validity).

Synonyms

• Passed: Having gone by.
• Expired: Having come to an end. (Often used for deadlines, periods, or agreements).
• Gone by: Having passed. (More informal).

Antonyms

• Remaining: Still left or to come.
• Future: Yet to happen.
• Ongoing: Currently in progress.

Notes on Meaning

• Temporal Focus: "Elapsed" exclusively concerns the passage of time. It does not describe the passage of objects, events (other than as a measure of time), or people.
• Precision: It implies a measurable or observable period. One would not typically say "elapsed feelings" or "elapsed happiness."

Adjective

1. (of time) having passed or slipped by
   • elapsed time