'Collapse' definitions:

Definition of 'collapse'

(from WordNet)
noun
An abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion; "the commander's prostration demoralized his men" [syn: collapse, prostration]
noun
A natural event caused by something suddenly falling down or caving in; "the roof is in danger of collapse"; "the collapse of the old star under its own gravity"
noun
The act of throwing yourself down; "he landed on the bed with a great flop" [syn: flop, collapse]
noun
A sudden large decline of business or the prices of stocks (especially one that causes additional failures) [syn: crash, collapse]
verb
Break down, literally or metaphorically; "The wall collapsed"; "The business collapsed"; "The dam broke"; "The roof collapsed"; "The wall gave in"; "The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice" [syn: collapse, fall in, cave in, give, give way, break, founder]
verb
Collapse due to fatigue, an illness, or a sudden attack [syn: break down, collapse]
verb
Fold or close up; "fold up your umbrella"; "collapse the music stand"
verb
Fall apart; "the building crumbled after the explosion"; "Negotiations broke down" [syn: crumble, crumple, tumble, break down, collapse]
verb
Cause to burst; "The ice broke the pipe" [syn: collapse, burst]
verb
Suffer a nervous breakdown [syn: crack up, crack, crock up, break up, collapse]
verb
Lose significance, effectiveness, or value; "The school system is collapsing"; "The stock market collapsed"

Definition of 'Collapse'

From: GCIDE
  • 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 of all the vital powers, as the result of disease, injury, or nervous disturbance. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Collapse'

From: GCIDE
  • 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 shrinking together; to have the sides or parts of (a thing) fall in together, or be crushed in together; as, a flue in the boiler of a steam engine sometimes collapses. [1913 Webster]
  • A balloon collapses when the gas escapes from it. --Maunder. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To fail suddenly and completely, like something hollow when subject to too much pressure; to undergo a collapse; as, Maximilian's government collapsed soon after the French army left Mexico; many financial projects collapse after attaining some success and importance. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'collapse'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Collapse'