collapse

verb

in topology, an operation that reduces a simplicial complex (or a CW complex) to a homotopy-equivalent subcomplex
structural failure

Pronunciation: /kəˈlæps/ / /klæps/ / /kəˈlɛps/

Etymology: From Latin collāpsus (past participle of collābor).

The act of collapsing.
“She suffered a terrible collapse after slipping on the wet floor.”
“in a state of nervous collapse”
Constant function, one-valued function (in automata theory) (in particular application causing a reset).
Ellipsis of batting collapse.

Etymology: From Latin collāpsus (past participle of collābor).

To break apart and fall down suddenly; to cave in.
“A balloon collapses when the gas escapes from it.”
To cease to function due to a sudden breakdown; to fail suddenly and completely.
“Pyramid schemes tend to generate profits for a while and then collapse.”
“However much we like to think of ourselves as something special in world history, in fact industrial societies are subject to the same principles that caused earlier societies to collapse.”
To fold compactly.
To conflate, to ignore the distinctions between.
In a hierarchical list (such as a directory tree or table of contents), to hide the subentries of (an entry).
To suffer a batting collapse.
“Immediately after his wicket the team collapsed for 69.”
To cause something to collapse.
“Hurry up and collapse the tent so we can get moving.”
“Thomas added: "We presented our experiences of frantically trying to collapse a pram, surrounded by loads of grumpy commuters.”
To pass out and fall to the floor or ground, as from exhaustion or other illness; to faint.
“The exhausted singer collapsed on stage and had to be taken to the hospital.”