elapsed
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- (of time) having passed or slipped by
- elapsed time