collapse

Definitions


[kəˈlaps], (Verb)

Definitions:
- (of a structure) suddenly fall down or give way
(e.g: the roof collapsed on top of me)

- (of a person) fall down and become unconscious as a result of illness or injury
(e.g: he collapsed from loss of blood)

- fail suddenly and completely
(e.g: the talks collapsed last week over territorial issues)

- fold or be foldable into a small space
(e.g: some cots collapse down to fit into a holdall)


Phrases:

Origin:
early 17th century (as collapsed): from medical Latin collapsus, past participle of collabi, from col- ‘together’ + labi ‘to slip’


[kəˈlaps], (Noun)

Definitions:
- an instance of a structure falling down or giving way
(e.g: the collapse of a railway bridge)


Phrases:

Origin:
early 17th century (as collapsed): from medical Latin collapsus, past participle of collabi, from col- ‘together’ + labi ‘to slip’




definition by Oxford Dictionaries