Which meaning of lapse most closely matches its meaning in the following excerpt? There was the proper swearing-in of Mr. Summers by the postmaster, as the official of the
lottery; at one time, some people remembered, there had been a recital of some sort, performed
by the official of the lottery, a perfunctory, tuneless chant that had been rattled off duly each year,
some people believed that the official of the lottery used to stand just so when he said or sang it,
others believed that he was supposed to walk among the people, but years and years ago this
part of the ritual had been allowed to lapse.
A. noun la temporary failure or loss of concentration
B. noun an interval of time
C. verb I to come to an end, because of a lack of use or renewal
D. verb I to fall into an inferior state or condition

after the moon goes from a full moon it turns into a waning gibbous moon.

here's where my answer came from. i hope this .

in the section of speech is not

the third paragraph is your answer,

"but, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. the brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. it is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. it is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us— that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under god, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. "