英语释义
1. negligence in the observance of duty or opportunity specifically undue delay in asserting a legal right or privilege
2. undue delay in asserting a right or privilege — compare statute of limitations
3. a doctrine permitting dismissal of a suit because a plaintiff's unreasonable delay in asserting a right or privilege has been detrimental to the defendant's ability to make a defense (as by resulting in the unavailability of witnesses or evidence)
a suit barred by laches
4. an affirmative defense based on this doctrine