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.
COLLAPSE
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.)
Defn: Extreme depression or sudden failing o
COLLAPSION
Col*lap"sion, n. Etym: [L. collapsio.]
Defn: Collapse. [R.] Johnson.
COLLAR
Col"lar, n. Etym: [OE. coler, coller, OF. colier, F. collier,
necklace, collar, fr. OF. col neck, F. cou, fr. L. collum; akin to
AS. heals, G. & Goth. hals. Cf. Hals, n.]