The spelling of the word "collapses" can be a bit tricky, but the IPA phonetic transcription can help break it down. The first syllable, "col," is pronounced like "kahl" with a short "o" sound. The second syllable, "laps," is pronounced like "laps" with a short "a" sound. The final "es" is pronounced like "iz" with a short "e" sound. So altogether, "collapses" is pronounced "kuh-laps-iz." Remembering these sounds can help ensure the correct spelling of this word.
Collapses, in its verb form, refers to the sudden breaking down, giving way, or falling apart of something physical or metaphorical. It denotes a state of complete and abrupt failure or breakdown, usually resulting in loss of structure, strength, integrity, or function. A collapse often happens unexpectedly or without warning, causing a rapid and significant decline in the stability, cohesion, or viability of an entity or system.
Physically, a collapse can occur when a structure, such as a building, bridge, or wall, crumbles or falls due to forces exceeding its capacity to support itself. Metaphorically, a collapse can refer to the disintegration or failure of systems, organizations, economies, or relationships. It embodies the idea of a complete breakdown in control, order, or effectiveness, leading to chaos, disruption, or severe consequences.
The term "collapses" can also be used to describe the act of succumbing to overwhelming physical or mental exhaustion or weakness, resulting in a loss of bodily control, consciousness, or functionality. This type of collapse often manifests as fainting, falling, or heavily slumping due to exhaustion, fatigue, or extreme emotional distress.
In summary, "collapses" encompass various concepts involving sudden or rapid failures, disintegration, or breakdowns in physical, metaphorical, or emotional contexts, with the common element being a loss of structure, coherence, or stability.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "collapses" originates from Latin roots. It comes from the Latin word "collabi", which means "to fall together" or "to fall in ruins". "Collabi" is derived from the combination of the prefix "com-" (which signifies "together") and the verb "labi" (which means "to fall" or "to slide"). Over time, the word evolved and was adopted into the English language, retaining a similar meaning of a sudden and dramatic falling apart or falling down.