collapse (n.)

  1. an abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion; the commanders prostration demoralized his men

    [ Syn: prostration ]

  2. a natural event caused by something suddenly falling down or caving in; the roof is in danger of collapse; the collapse of the old star under its own gravity'

  3. the act of throwing yourself down; he landed on the bed with a great flop

    [ Syn: flop ]

  4. a sudden large decline of business or the prices of stocks (especially one that causes additional failures)

    [ Syn: crash ]

    collapse (v.)

  1. break down, literally or metaphorically; The wall collapsed; The business collapsed; The dam broke; The roof collapsed; The wall gave in; The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice

    [ Syn: fall in , cave in , give , give way , break , founder ]

  2. collapse due to fatigue, an illness, or a sudden attack

    [ Syn: break down ]

  3. fold or close up; fold up your umbrella; collapse the music stand'

  4. fall apart; the building crumbled after the explosion; Negotiations broke down

    [ Syn: crumble , crumple , tumble , break down ]

  5. cause to burst; The ice broke the pipe

    [ Syn: burst ]

  6. suffer a nervous breakdown

    [ Syn: crack up , crack , crock up , break up ]

  7. lose significance, effectiveness, or value; The school system is collapsing; The stock market collapsed'

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.