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collapse
col·lapse / kəˈlaps/ • v. [intr.] 1. (of a structure) fall down or in; give way. ∎ [tr.] cause (something) to fall in or give way: it feels as if the slightest pressure would collapse it | fig. many people tend to collapse the distinction between the two concepts. ∎ (of a lung or blood vessel) fall inward and become flat and empty. ∎ [tr.] cause (a lung or blood vessel) to do this. ∎ fold or be folded to fit into a small space: [intr.] some cots collapse down to fit into a bag. 2. (of a person) fall down and become unconscious, typically through illness or injury. ∎ inf. sit or lie down as a result of tiredness or prolonged exertion. 3. (of an institution or undertaking) fail suddenly and completely: in the face of such resolve his opposition finally collapsed. ∎ (of a price or currency) drop suddenly in value. • n. an instance of a structure falling down or in: the church roof is in danger of collapse. ∎ a sudden failure of an institution or undertaking: the collapse of communism. ∎ a physical or mental breakdown: he suffered a collapse from overwork. ORIGIN: early 17th cent. (as collapsed): from medical Latin collapsus, past participle of collabi, from col- ‘together’ + labi ‘to slip.’ |
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Cite this article
"collapse." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "collapse." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-collapse.html "collapse." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-collapse.html |
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collapse
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "collapse." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "collapse." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-collapse.html T. F. HOAD. "collapse." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-collapse.html |
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collapse
collapse
•apse, collapse, craps, elapse, lapse, perhaps, schnapps
•prolapse • synapse • Lesseps
•quadriceps
•biceps, triceps
•forceps
•traipse, trapes
•jackanapes • Pepys
•Chips, eclipse, ellipse, thrips
•Phillips • apocalypse
•amidships, midships
•cripes, Stars and Stripes
•copse • Cheops • Pelops • Cyclops
•triceratops • corpse • Stopes
•oops, whoops
•turps • mumps • goosebumps
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Cite this article
"collapse." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "collapse." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-collapse.html "collapse." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-collapse.html |
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