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Entry 5 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Collapse

/kəl-ăps'/ · Col·lapse · IPA /kəˈlæps/
01 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 thi…
imp. & p. p. Collapsed; p. pr. & vb. n. Collapsing
  1. 1.
    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.
    “A balloon collapses when the gas escapes from it.” — Maunder.
  2. 2.
    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.
02 n. A falling together suddenly, as of the sides of a hollow vessel.
  1. 1.
    A falling together suddenly, as of the sides of a hollow vessel.
  2. 2.
    A sudden and complete failure; an utter failure of any kind; a breakdown.[Colloq.]
  3. 3.
    Extreme depression or sudden failing of all the vital powers, as the result of disease, injury, or nervous disturbance.(Med.)