collapse
- collapse
- [[t]kəlæ̱ps[/t]]
♦♦
collapses, collapsing, collapsed
1) VERB If a building or other structure collapses, it falls down very suddenly.
A section of the Bay Bridge had collapsed...
The roof collapsed in a roar of rock and rubble...
[V-ing] Most of the deaths were caused by landslides and collapsing buildings.
N-UNCOUNT
Collapse is also a noun.
Governor Deukmejian called for an inquiry into the freeway's collapse.
2) VERB If something, for example a system or institution, collapses, it fails or comes to an end completely and suddenly.
His business empire collapsed under a massive burden of debt...
This system has collapsed in most countries where it ruled...
[V-ing] The rural people have been impoverished by a collapsing economy.
N-UNCOUNT
Collapse is also a noun.
The coup's collapse has speeded up the drive to independence... Their economy is teetering on the brink of collapse.
3) VERB If you collapse, you suddenly faint or fall down because you are very ill or weak.
He collapsed following a vigorous exercise session at his home...
It's commonplace to see people collapsing from hunger in the streets.
N-UNCOUNT
Collapse is also a noun.
A few days after his collapse he was sitting up in bed.
4) VERB If you collapse onto something, you sit or lie down suddenly because you are very tired.
[V prep] She arrived home exhausted and barely capable of showering before collapsing on her bed. [Also V]
5) VERB If something with air inside collapses, it falls inwards and becomes smaller or flatter.
He plunged 300ft to the ground when his parachute collapsed...
[V-ed] He was rushed to hospital last week after suffering a collapsed lung.
English dictionary.
2008.
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Look at other dictionaries:
Collapse! — Genres Puzzle Developers GameHouse Publishers GameHouse (RealNetworks) Platforms Windows, Mac OS X … Wikipedia
Collapse — Разрабо … Википедия
Collapse — Col*lapse , v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Collapsed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Collapsing}] [L. collapsus, p. p. of collabi to collapse; col + labi to fall, slide. See {Lapse}.] 1. To fall together suddenly, as the sides of a hollow vessel; to close by falling or … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Collapse — Pays d’origine France Genre musical Metal industriel Années d activité 1994 – Aujourd hui Labels … Wikipédia en Français
collapse — ● collapse nom masculin (anglais collapse, affaissement) Dommage susceptible de survenir au cours du séchage artificiel du bois, se traduisant par des affaissements et des déformations internes … Encyclopédie Universelle
collapse — [n] downfall, breakdown bankruptcy, basket case*, cataclysm, catastrophe, cave in, conk out*, crackup*, crash, debacle, destruction, disintegration, disorganization, disruption, exhaustion, failure, faint, flop, prostration, ruination, ruining,… … New thesaurus
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
Collapse — Col*lapse , n. 1. A falling together suddenly, as of the sides of a hollow vessel. [1913 Webster] 2. A sudden and complete failure; an utter failure of any kind; a breakdown. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] 3. (Med.) Extreme depression or sudden failing … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
collapse — index catastrophe, debacle, decline, defeat, destruction, deteriorate, detriment, disaster, disease … Law dictionary
collapse — (v.) 1732, from L. collapsus, pp. of collabi fall together, from com together (see COM (Cf. com )) + labi to fall, slip (see LAPSE (Cf. lapse)). The adj. collapsed is attested from c.1600, from L. collapsus, and perhaps this suggested a verb. R … Etymology dictionary
collapse — ► VERB 1) suddenly fall down or give way. 2) (of a person) fall down as a result of physical breakdown. 3) fail suddenly and completely. ► NOUN 1) an instance of a structure collapsing. 2) a sudden failure or breakdown. ORIGIN … English terms dictionary
