col·lapse /kəˈlæps/
1. an abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion; "the commander's prostration demoralized his men"
synset: collapse, 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"
synset: collapse
3. the act of throwing yourself down; "he landed on the bed with a great flop"
4. a sudden large decline of business or the prices of stocks (especially one that causes additional failures)
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"
synset: collapse, fall_in, cave_in, give, give_way, break, founder
2. collapse due to fatigue, an illness, or a sudden attack
synset: break_down, collapse
3. fold or close up; "fold up your umbrella"; "collapse the music stand"
synset: collapse
4. fall apart; "the building crumbled after the explosion"; "Negotiations broke down"
synset: crumble, crumple, tumble, break_down, collapse
5. cause to burst; "The ice broke the pipe"
synset: crack_up, crack, crock_up, break_up, collapse
7. lose significance, effectiveness, or value; "The school system is collapsing"; "The stock market collapsed"
synset: collapse
Princeton University "About WordNet." WordNet. Princeton University. 2010.
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