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| col·lapse [ kə láps ] |
verb (past and past participle col·lapsed, present participle col·laps·ing, 3rd person present singular col·laps·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. intransitive verb fall down: to fall down suddenly, generally as a result of damage, structural weakness, or lack of support
  A section of cliff had collapsed into the sea.
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2. intransitive verb fail abruptly: to fail or come to an end suddenly
Their partnership nearly collapsed under the strain.
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3. intransitive verb fall suddenly: to fall or faint because of illness, exhaustion, or weakness
He collapsed from overwork.
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4. intransitive verb suddenly sit or lie down: to sit or lie down suddenly and relax completely, or give way to emotion
I collapsed into an armchair.
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5. intransitive verb bend double with emotion: to bend over double or otherwise contort the body, typically in the throes of emotion such as laughter or crying
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6. transitive and intransitive verb deflate: to fold up or become flat from lack of pressure or loss of air, or cause something such as a parachute to do this
The left lung had collapsed.
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7. transitive and intransitive verb fold something to make it smaller: to fold something up so that it is smaller or takes up less space, or fold up in this way
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noun (plural col·laps·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. failure or end: a failure or sudden end to something
the abrupt collapse of the campaign
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2. falling down: the act of falling down suddenly, generally as a result of damage, structural weakness, or lack of support
The roof was in danger of collapse.
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3. decrease in value: a sudden reduction or decrease in value
the threatened collapse of the yen
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4. sudden illness: a sudden onset of severe illness, resulting in hospitalization or bed rest
in a state of nervous collapse
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| [Mid-18th century. Back-formation < collapsed< Latin collapsus, past participle of collabi "fall together" < labi "to fall"] |
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| col·laps·i·ble adjective |
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