[f. L. collāps- ppl. stem of collābi to fall together, f. col- together + lābi, lāps- to fall. The ppl. adj. collapsed is found earlier than other parts, having been app. introduced first, to represent L. collāpsus, and having consequently suggested the verb. Miège 1688, and Bailey 1721–66 have collapsed, but not collapse. Johnson has only our first quot.]
1. intr. To fall together, as the sides of a hollow body, or the body itself, by external pressure or withdrawal of the contents, as when an inflated bladder is pierced; to fall into a confused mass or into a flattened form by loss of rigidity or support; to break down, give way, fall in, cave in; to shrink suddenly into a smaller volume, contract.
1732. Arbuthnot, Rules of Diet, 276. The Sides of the Canals collapse.
1755. in Johnson.
1794. R. J. Sulivan, View Nat., II. 21. The air collapses the moment after the electric matter has passed.
1833. J. Rennie, Alph. Angling, 25. Mr. John Hunter … describes the ear of fishes … in some species crusted over with a thin plate of bone, so as not to allow it to collapse.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., II. § 24. 360. The air suddenly collapsed to a fraction of its original dimensions.
1888. Pall Mall Gaz., 15 Oct., 8/2. The extensive warehouse … collapsed without any previous warning, and fell outwards with a terrific crash into the street.
2. transf. and fig. To break down, come to nothing, fail; to lose force suddenly.
1801. Southey, Thalaba, V. xxxii. The deaden’d roar Echoed beneath, collapsing as it sunk Within a dark abyss.
1882. J. H. Blunt. Ref. Ch. Eng., II. 484. The influence of Abbott collapsed in a great degree.
1887. Spectator, 16 April, 531/2. The present agitation would collapse like a pricked bladder.
b. To break down in regard to vital energy, from exhaustion or disease.
1879. Beerbohm, Patagonia, 20. My horse was in imminent peril of collapsing altogether.
c. Suddenly to lose courage, spirit, etc.; to subside, ‘cave in.’ (colloq.)
1865. Dickens, Mut. Fr., III. xv. The impressible little soul collapsed again.
