collapse

Where does the word "collapse" come from? It comes from Latin collapsus, and was adopted directly into English (1730s).

Collapse’s story begins in Latin: collapsus meant “fallen together.” Past participle of 'collabi', to fall together. It reached English by 1730s as collapse. First a medical term for a sudden failure of strength. Today, collapse means to fall down suddenly.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient collapsus "fallen together", past participle of 'collabi', to fall together.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1730s collapse "to fall together", first a medical term for a sudden failure of strength.