col·lapse /kəˈlæps/
 (v.)折疊崩潰,倒塌,虛脫(vi.)倒塌,崩潰,瓦解(vt.)使倒塌


 col·lapse /kəˈlæps/ 動詞
 虛脫,塌陷,斷裂,萎陷


 collapse
 破裂


 Col·lapse v. i. [imp. & p. p. Collapsed p. pr. & vb. n. Collapsing]
 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. 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.


 Col·lapse n.
 1. A falling together suddenly, as of the sides of a hollow vessel.
 2. A sudden and complete failure; an utter failure of any kind; a breakdown. [Colloq.]
 3. Med. Extreme depression or sudden failing of all the vital powers, as the result of disease, injury, or nervous disturbance.

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 collapse
      n 1: an abrupt failure of function or health
      2: a mishap caused by something suddenly falling down or caving
         in
      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]
      v 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" [syn: fall in,
            cave in, give, give way, break, founder]
      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 crimbled after the explosion";
         "Negociations broke down" [syn: crumble, crumple, tumble,
          break down]
      5: cause to burst; "The ice broke the pipe" [syn: burst]
      6: suffer a nervous breakdown [syn: crack up, crack, {crock
         up, break up]
      7: lose significance, effectiveness, or value; "The school
         system is collapsing"; "The stock market collapsed"