crashing

UK: ˈkræʃɪŋ | US: ˈkræʃɪŋ

Definition

  1. adj. 1. making a loud, sudden noise (e.g., waves, cymbals)

  2. adj. 2. failing or collapsing suddenly and dramatically (e.g., a crashing stock market)

  3. v. (present participle of crash) 1. colliding violently with something

  4. v. 2. (computing) ceasing to function abruptly

Structure
crash <loud noise/collision>ing <present participle suffix>
Etymology

The word crash originated in the late 14th century as an onomatopoeic term imitating the sound of sudden, loud impacts (e.g., thunder, breaking objects). By the 19th century, it extended metaphorically to describe financial collapses ("market crash") and later (20th century) to computer failures. The -ing suffix marks its continuous or participial form.

Examples

  1. The crashing waves drowned out our conversation.

  2. Investors panicked during the crashing stock market.

  3. A car went crashing into the barrier.

  4. My computer keeps crashing when I open this file.

  5. We heard plates crashing in the kitchen.