1 VERB When one person or group collaborates with another, they work together, especially on a book or on some research. □ [V + with ] He collaborated with his son Michael on the English translation of the text. □ [V + with ] A hospital will collaborate with a retail developer to improve retail and catering services. □ [V + on/in ] …a place where professionals and amateurs collaborated in the making of music. □ [V ] The two men met and agreed to collaborate. [Also pl-n V to-inf, V with n to-inf]
2 VERB If someone collaborates with an enemy that is occupying their country during a war, they help them. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + with ] He was accused of having collaborated with the secret police. [Also V ]
col|labo|ra|tion /kəlæ bəre I ʃ ə n/ (collaborations )
1 N‑VAR [in N ] Collaboration is the act of working together to produce a piece of work, especially a book or some research. □ [+ between ] This arose as a result of close collaboration between the two museums. □ …scientific collaborations. □ [+ with ] Drummond was working on a book in collaboration with Zodiac Mindwarp.
2 N‑COUNT A collaboration is a piece of work that has been produced as the result of people or groups working together. □ [+ with ] He was also a writer of beautiful stories, some of which are collaborations with his fiancee. [Also + between ]
3 N‑UNCOUNT Collaboration is the act of helping an enemy who is occupying your country during a war. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ She faced charges of collaboration. [Also + with ]
col|labo|ra|tion|ist /kəlæ bəre I ʃən I st/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A collaborationist government or individual is one that helps or gives support to the enemy during the war. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Quinn headed the collaborationist government throughout the war.
col|labo|ra|tive /kəlæ bərət I v, [AM ] -re I t-/ ADJ [ADJ n] A collaborative piece of work is done by two or more people or groups working together. [FORMAL ] □ …a collaborative research project. □ 'The First Day' is their first collaborative album.
col|labo|ra|tor /kəlæ bəre I tə r / (collaborators )
1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] A collaborator is someone that you work with to produce a piece of work, especially a book or some research. □ The Irvine group and their collaborators are testing whether lasers do the job better.
2 N‑COUNT A collaborator is someone who helps an enemy who is occupying their country during a war. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Two alleged collaborators were shot dead by masked activists.
col|lage /kɒ lɑːʒ, [AM ] kəlɑː ʒ/ (collages )
1 N‑COUNT A collage is a picture that has been made by sticking pieces of coloured paper and cloth onto paper.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Collage is the method of making pictures by sticking pieces of coloured paper and cloth onto paper.
col|la|gen /kɒ lədʒən/ N‑UNCOUNT Collagen is a protein that is found in the bodies of people and animals. It is often used as an ingredient in cosmetics or is injected into the face in cosmetic surgery, in order to make the skin look younger. □ The collagen that is included in face creams comes from animal skin. □ …collagen injections.
col|lapse ◆◆◇ /kəlæ ps/ (collapses , collapsing , collapsed )
1 VERB If a building or other structure collapses , it falls down very suddenly. □ [V ] A section of the Bay Bridge had collapsed. □ [V -ing] Most of the deaths were caused by landslides and collapsing buildings. ● N‑UNCOUNT Collapse is also a noun. □ Governor Deukmejian called for an inquiry into the freeway's collapse.
2 VERB If something, for example a system or institution, collapses , it fails or comes to an end completely and suddenly. □ [V ] His business empire collapsed under a massive burden of debt. □ [V -ing] The rural people have been impoverished by a collapsing economy. ● N‑UNCOUNT Collapse is also a noun. □ The coup's collapse has speeded up the drive to independence. □ Their economy is teetering on the brink of collapse.
3 VERB If you collapse , you suddenly faint or fall down because you are very ill or weak. □ [V ] He collapsed following a vigorous exercise session at his home. ● N‑UNCOUNT Collapse is also a noun. □ A few days after his collapse he was sitting up in bed.
4 VERB If you collapse onto something, you sit or lie down suddenly because you are very tired. □ [V prep] She arrived home exhausted and barely capable of showering before collapsing on her bed. [Also V ] SYNONYMS collapse VERB
1
fall down: Children jumped from upper floors as the building fell down around them.
give: My knees gave under me.
give way: The hook in the ceiling had given way.
cave in: Part of the roof has caved in.
2
faiclass="underline" He was afraid the revolution they had started would fail.
fold: 2,500 small businesses were folding each week.
founder: The talks have foundered.
break down: Talks with business leaders broke down last night.
fall through: The deal fell through.
3
faint: She suddenly fell forward on to the table and fainted.
crumple: He immediately crumpled to the floor.
pass out: He felt sick and dizzy and then passed out.
keel over: He then keeled over and fell flat on his back.