crash

crash

crash¹ [krash]

vi.

[ME crashen, prob. echoic var. of cracken (see CRACK¹); akin to Dan krase, to crackle, Ger krach, crash, disaster < krachen, to crack]

1. to fall, collide, or break with force and with a loud, smashing noise

2.

a) to make a sudden, loud noise, as of something falling and shattering

b) to move or go with such a noise

3. to fall or land violently out of control so as to be damaged or smashed: said of aircraft

4. to come to sudden ruin; collapse; fail [their business crashed ]

☆ 5. Slang

a) to sleep

b) to get a place to sleep temporarily

☆ 6. Slang to come down swiftly from the euphoria induced by a drug

☆ 7. Comput. to become inoperable because of a malfunction in the equipment or an error in the program

vt.

1. to break or dash into pieces; smash; shatter

2. to cause (a car, airplane, etc.) to crash

3. to cause to make a crashing sound

4. to force or impel with or as with a crashing noise: with in, out, through, etc.

☆ 5. Informal to get into (a party, theater, etc.) without an invitation, ticket, etc.

n.

1. a loud, sudden noise, as of something falling and shattering

2. a breaking or smashing into pieces

3. a crashing, as of a car or an airplane

4. a sudden fall, collapse, or ruin, esp. of business or a business enterprise

adj.

Informal designed for urgent, concentrated implementation and speedy results [a crash diet, a crash course in Greek]

SYN.- BREAK

crash² [krash]

n.

[earlier crasko, crasho, “Russian linen,” prob. a contr. < Russ krashenina, colored linen < krasit', to color < krasa, beauty]

a coarse cotton or linen cloth with a plain, loose weave, used for towels, curtains, clothes, etc. and in bookbinding