browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
more about collapsing
collapsing |
1 definition found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Collapse \Col*lapse"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Collapsed}; p. pr & vb n. {Collapsing}] [L. collapsus p. p. of collabi to collapse; col- + labi to fall, slide. See {Lapse}.] 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.
more about collapsing
This work is licensed under a
