Main Entry: ¹col·lapse

Pronunciation: \kə-ˈlaps\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): 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 collapses>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