Collapse

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -æps

Origin

From Latin collapsus (past participle of collabi) collaboris

Full definition of collapse

Verb

1. (intransitive) To fall down suddenly; to cave in
• MaunderA balloon collapses when the gas escapes from it.
2. (intransitive) To cease to function due to a sudden breakdown; to fail suddenly and completelyPyramid schemes tend to generate profits for a while and then collapse.
3. (intransitive) To fold compactly
4. (cricket) For several batsmen to get out in quick succession
5. (transitive) To cause something to collapse.Hurry up and collapse the tent so we can get moving.
6. (intransitive) To pass out and fall to the floor or ground, as from exhaustion or other illness; to faintThe exhausted singer collapsed onstage and had to be taken to the hospital.

Derived terms

• collapsible

Noun

1. The act of collapsing
• 2012, April 21, Jonathan Jurejko, Newcastle 3-0 Stoke, The top six are assured of continental competition and after making a statement of intent against Stoke, it would take a dramatic collapse for Newcastle to surrender their place.
2. Constant function, one-valued function (in automata theory) (in particular application causing a reset)

Anagrams

• escallop