Collapse
 

collapse
noun1.an abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion; "the commander's prostration demoralized his men"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]
verb1.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"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]5.cause to burst; "The ice broke the pipe"6.suffer a nervous breakdown[syn: ***** up]7.lose significance, effectiveness, or value; "The school system is collapsing"; "The stock market collapsed"