I. kə-ˈlaps verb
( col·lapsed ; col·laps·ing )
Etymology: Latin collapsus, past participle of collabi, from com- + labi to fall, slide — more at sleep
Date: 1732
intransitive verb
1. : to fall or shrink together abruptly and completely : fall into a jumbled or flattened mass through the force of external pressure
a blood vessel that collapsed
2. : to break down completely : disintegrate
his case had collapsed in a mass of legal wreckage — Erle Stanley Gardner
3. : to cave or fall in or give way
the bridge collapsed
4. : to suddenly lose force, significance, effectiveness, or worth
fears that the currency may collapse
5. : to break down in vital energy, stamina, or self-control through exhaustion or disease ; especially : to fall helpless or unconscious
6. : to fold down into a more compact shape
a chair that collapse s
transitive verb
1. : to cause to collapse
buildings collapsed by an earthquake
2. : condense
collapse several stories into one
• col·laps·ibil·i·ty -ˌlap-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē noun
• col·laps·ible -ˈlap-sə-bəl adjective
II. noun
Date: 1801
1.
a. : a breakdown in vital energy, strength, or stamina
b. : a state of extreme prostration and physical depression (as from circulatory failure or great loss of body fluids)
c. : an airless state of all or part of a lung originating spontaneously or induced surgically
2. : the act or action of collapsing
the cutting of many tent ropes, the collapse of the canvas — Rudyard Kipling
3. : a sudden failure : breakdown , ruin
4. : a sudden loss of force, value, or effect
the collapse of respect for ancient law and custom — L. S. B. Leakey