compile

[kuhm-pahyl]

verb (used with object)

compiled, compiling 

1. to put together (documents, selections, or other materials) in one book or work.

2. to make (a book, writing, or the like) of materials from various sources.

   to compile an anthology of plays; to compile a graph showing changes in profit.

3. to gather together.

   to compile data.

4. Computers.,  to translate (a computer program) from a high-level language into another language, usually machine language, using a compiler.

compile

/ kəmˈpaɪl /

verb

1. to make or compose from other materials or sources

   to compile a list of names

2. to collect or gather for a book, hobby, etc

3. computing to create (a set of machine instructions) from a high-level programming language, using a compiler

Other Word Forms

• precompile verb (used with object)
• recompile verb (used with object)
• uncompiled adjective
• well-compiled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of compile¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Latin compīlāre “to rob, pillage, steal from another writer,” equivalent to com- “with” + -pīlāre, perhaps akin to pīla “column, pier,” pīlāre “to fix firmly, plant” (hence, “pile up, accumulate”); com-, pile ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of compile¹

C14: from Latin compīlāre to pile together, plunder, from com- together + pīlāre to thrust down, pack

Example Sentences

Analysts had forecast 1.57 billion euros, according to consensus estimates compiled by the bank.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The figure beat analysts’ expectations of $1.29 billion, according to consensus estimates compiled by the bank.

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Police are exploring how automated technology might help compile the necessary data quickly, says assistant commissioner Louise Rolfe, the national policing lead for domestic abuse.

Read more on BBC

Many will confront premiums that jump by percentages well into the double digits, according to finalized state rate filing documents compiled by health-research nonprofit KFF.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The figure came in line with analysts’ estimated 6.60 billion euros, according to a Vara Research compiled consensus.

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Related Words

• amass 
• arrange 
• assemble 
• collect 
• compose 
• cull 
• edit 
• gather 
• glean 
• organize