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 verb1: 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 unconscious6: to fold down into a more compact shape <a chair that collapses>transitive verb1: 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