collapse

collapse
/keuh laps"/, v., collapsed, collapsing, n.
v.i.
1. to fall or cave in; crumble suddenly: The roof collapsed and buried the crowd.
2. to be made so that sections or parts can be folded up, as for convenient storage: This bridge table collapses.
3. to break down; come to nothing; fail: Despite all their efforts the peace talks collapsed.
4. to fall unconscious or as if unconscious or physically depleted, as from a stroke, heart attack, disease, or exhaustion.
5. Pathol.
a. to sink into extreme weakness.
b. (of lungs) to come into an airless state.
v.t.
6. to cause to collapse: He collapsed the table easily.
n.
7. a falling in or together: Three miners were trapped by the collapse of the tunnel roof.
8. a sudden, complete failure; breakdown: The bribery scandal brought about the complete collapse of his industrial empire.
[1725-35; < L collapsus (ptp. of collabi to fall, fall in ruins), equiv. to col- COL-1 + lap-, var. s. of labi to fall + -sus, var. of -tus ptp. ending]

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • collapse — [kə laps′] vi. collapsed, collapsing [< L collapsus, pp. of collabi < com , together + labi, to fall: see LAP1] 1. to fall down or fall to pieces, as when supports or sides fail to hold; cave in; shrink together suddenly 2. to break down… …   English World dictionary

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