(updated  17th February 2008)

Keywords: simulating people, simulating crowds, simulating crowd dynamics

crush  (kr^ǔsh)
v. crushed, crush·ing, crush·es
v. tr.

1. To press between opposing bodies so as to break or injure.
2. To break, pound, or grind (stone or ore, for example) into small fragments or powder.
3. To put down; subdue: crushed the rebellion.
4. To overwhelm or oppress severely: spirits that had been crushed by rejection and failure.
5. To crumple or rumple: crushed the freshly ironed shirt.
6. To hug, especially with great force.
7. To press upon, shove, or crowd.

1. To be or become crushed.
2. To proceed or move by crowding or pressing.

1. The act of crushing; extreme pressure.
2. The state of being crushed.
3. A great crowd: a crush of spectators.

crush'a·ble adj.

crush'er n.

crush'proof´ (-pr^ōōf´) adj.

Synonyms: crush, mash, pulp, smash, squash
² These verbs mean to press forcefully so as to reduce to a pulpy mass: crushed the rose geranium leaves; mashed the sweet potatoes; pulped raspberries through a sieve; smashed the bamboo stems with a hammer; squashed the wine grapes. See also synonyms at crowd

Crowd

Pronunciation: (kroud),
—n.

1. A large number of persons gathered closely together; throng: a crowd of angry people.
2. Any large number of persons.
3. Any group or set of persons with something in common: The restaurant attracts a theater crowd.
4. Audience; attendance: Opening night drew a good crowd.
5. The common people; the masses: He feels superior to the crowd.
6. A large number of things gathered or considered together.
7. Sociol.a temporary gathering of people responding to common stimuli and engaged in any of various forms of collective behavior.
   
   —v.i.
8. to gather in large numbers; throng; swarm.
9. to press forward; advance by pushing.
   
   —v.t.
10. to press closely together; force into a confined space; cram: to crowd clothes into a suitcase.
11. to push; shove.
12. to fill to excess; fill by pressing or thronging into.
13. to place under pressure or stress by constant solicitation: to crowd a debtor for payment; to crowd someone with embarrassing questions.
14. Crowd on sail, Naut.to carry a press of sail.

1. To congregate in a restricted area; throng: The children crowded around the TV.
2. To advance by pressing or shoving: A bevy of reporters crowded toward the candidate.

1. To force by or as if by pressing or shoving: Police crowded the spectators back to the viewing stand. Urban sprawl crowded the farmers out of the valley.
2. To draw or stand near to: The batter crowded the plate.
3. To press, cram, or force tightly together: crowded the clothes into the closet.
4. To fill or occupy to overflowing: Books crowded the shelves.

Fear of Crowds

breathlessness, excessive sweating, nausea, dry mouth, feeling sick, shaking, heart palpitations, inability to speak or think clearly, a fear of losing control, a sensation of detachment from reality or a full blown anxiety attack. Most sufferers are surprised to learn that they are far from alone in this surprisingly common, although often unspoken, phobia. Fear Of Crowds is an intense fear of something that poses no actual danger. While adults with Fear Of Crowds realize that these fears are irrational, they often find that facing, or even thinking about facing, the feared situation brings on a panic attack or severe anxiety.