intransitive verb collapsed, collapsing
- to fall down or fall to pieces, as when supports or sides fail to hold; cave in; shrink together suddenly
- to break down suddenly; fail; give way: the enemy's defense collapsed
- to break down or fail suddenly in health or physical strength
- to fall down, as from a blow or exhaustion
- to fall or drop drastically, as in value or force
- to fold or come together compactly
Origin:
< L collapsus, pp. of collabi < com-, together + labi, to fall: see lap
noun
the act of collapsing; a falling in or together; failure or breakdown, as in business or health