- A falling together suddenly, as of the sides of a hollow
vessel. - A sudden and complete failure; an utter failure of any
kind; a breakdown. - Extreme depression or sudden failing of all the vital
powers, as the result of disease, injury, or nervous disturbance.
2 . Collapse
[ v. i.]
- To fall together suddenly, as the sides of a hollow
vessel; to close by falling or shrinking together; to have the sides or
parts of (a thing) fall in together, or be crushed in together; as, a
flue in the boiler of a steam engine sometimes collapses. - To fail suddenly and completely, like something hollow
when subject to too much pressure; to undergo a collapse; as,
Maximilian's government collapsed soon after the French army left
Mexico; many financial projects collapse after attaining some success
and importance.
Meaning of 'collapse' (Princeton's WordNet)
1 . collapse
[ n]
Meaning (1): - the act of throwing yourself down
Example in sentence:
he landed on the bed with a great flop
Meaning (2): - a natural event caused by something suddenly falling down or caving in
Example in sentence:
the collapse of the old star under its own gravity;
the roof is in danger of collapse
Meaning (3): - an abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion
Example in sentence:
the commander's prostration demoralized his men
4 . collapse
[ v]
Meaning (4): - fold or close up
Example in sentence:
collapse the music stand;
fold up your umbrella
Meaning (5): - fall apart
Example in sentence:
Negotiations broke down;
the building crumbled after the explosion
Meaning (6): - break down, literally or metaphorically
Example in sentence:
The business collapsed;
The dam broke;
The roof collapsed;
The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice;
The wall collapsed;
The wall gave in
Meaning (7): - cause to burst
Example in sentence:
The ice broke the pipe
Meaning (8): - lose significance, effectiveness, or value