collapse - Dictionary definition and pronunciation - Yahoo! Education

Definition of collapse

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colˇlapse  audio  (k-lps) KEY 

VERB:
colˇlapsed, colˇlapsˇing, colˇlapsˇes
VERB:
intr.
  1. To fall down or inward suddenly; cave in.
  2. To break down suddenly in strength or health and thereby cease to function: a monarchy that collapsed.
  3. To fold compactly: chairs that collapse for storage.
VERB:
tr.
To cause to fold, break down, or fall down or inward.
NOUN:
  1. The act of falling down or inward, as from loss of supports.
  2. An abrupt failure of function, strength, or health; a breakdown.
  3. An abrupt loss of perceived value or of effect: the collapse of popular respect for the integrity of world leaders.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin collb, collps-, to fall together : com-, com- + lb, to fall

OTHER FORMS:
colˇlapsiˇbiliˇty(Noun), colˇlapsaˇble or colˇlapsiˇble(Adjective)


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