Final answer:
The term lapse means to come to an end, which corresponds to the first option provided. It is distinct from the verbs lay and lie, which are often confused. Lapse should also not be conflated with words like lose and loose, which have different meanings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word lapse in English generally means to come to an end or to expire, particularly when referring to a period of time or an agreement. So among the given options, the first one is correct: lapse means to end, at least for a long time. It does not refer to being shiny, cutting with a tool, or swimming like a dog in shallow water.
It's important to differentiate the term lapse from other words such as lay and lie. Lay means "to put or set something down," as in 'Please lay the books on the table.' Conversely, lie has two primary meanings: to recline in a horizontal position, 'I need to lie down and rest my eyes,' and to be situated in a place, 'The towns lie near the waterfalls.'
Confusion often arises, especially since lay is also the past tense of lie: 'I fell asleep as soon as I lay down.' Additionally, different words like lose and loose have entirely different meanings, as do not confuse lapse with these terms.