collapse

 
Pronunciation: /kəˈlaps/

verb

[no object]
  • 1(of a structure) suddenly fall down or give way: the roof collapsed on top of me
  • [with object] cause (something) to fall down or give way: it feels as if the slightest pressure would collapse it figurative many people tend to collapse the distinction between the two concepts
  • (usually as adjective collapsed) (of a lung or blood vessel) fall inwards and become flat and empty: a collapsed lung
  • [with object] cause (a lung or blood vessel) to collapse: he had an operation to collapse his lung
  • 2(of a person) fall down and become unconscious as a result of illness or injury: he collapsed from loss of blood
  • sit or lie down as a result of exhaustion or amusement: exhausted, he collapsed on the bed the three of them collapsed with laughter
  • 3fail suddenly and completely: the talks collapsed last week over territorial issues
  • (of a price or currency) drop suddenly in value: the price of oil collapsed
  • 4fold or be foldable into a small space: [no object]: some cots collapse down to fit into a holdall
  • [with object] compress a displayed part of (a spreadsheet or other electronic document): tabulation programs can be used to collapse this list in various ways

noun

  • an instance of a structure falling down or giving way: the collapse of a railway bridge [mass noun]: the church roof is in danger of collapse
  • a sudden failure of an institution or undertaking: the collapse of a number of prominent banks
  • a physical or mental breakdown: he suffered a collapse from overwork [mass noun]: she’s lying there in a state of collapse

Origin:

early 17th century (as collapsed): from medical Latin collapsus, past participle of collabi, from col- 'together' + labi 'to slip'