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| Date: | 1700-1800 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | collapsus, past participle of collabi, from com- ( COM-) + labi 'to fall, slide' |
Related topics:1 if a building, wall etc collapses, it falls down suddenly, usually because it is weak or damaged : 
Uncle Ted's chair collapsed under his weight.The roof had collapsed long ago.
structure
[intransitive]Uncle Ted's chair collapsed under his weight.The roof had collapsed long ago.2 to suddenly fall down or become unconscious because you are ill or weak : He collapsed with a heart attack while he was dancing. Marion's legs collapsed under her.
illness/injury
[intransitive]He collapsed with a heart attack while he was dancing.Marion's legs collapsed under her.3 if a system, idea, or organization collapses, it suddenly fails or becomes too weak to continue : The luxury car market has collapsed. I thought that without me the whole project would collapse.
fail
[intransitive]The luxury car market has collapsed.I thought that without me the whole project would collapse.4 if prices, levels, etc collapse, they suddenly become much lower : There were fears that property prices would collapse.
prices
[intransitive]There were fears that property prices would collapse.5 to suddenly sit down, especially because you are very tired or want to relax : I was so exhausted when I got home, I just collapsed on the sofa.
sit/lie
[intransitive]I was so exhausted when I got home, I just collapsed on the sofa.6 if a piece of furniture or equipment collapses, or if you collapse it, you can fold it so that it becomes smaller : The legs on our card table collapse so we can store it in the closet.
fold something smaller
[intransitive and transitive]The legs on our card table collapse so we can store it in the closet.7 if a lung or a blood vessel collapses, it suddenly becomes flat, so that it no longer has any air or blood in it
