compress

[verb kuhm-pres; noun kom-pres]

verb (used with object)

to press together; force into less space.
to cause to become a solid mass: to compress cotton into bales.
to condense, shorten, or abbreviate: The book was compressed by 50 pages.

Computers. to reduce the storage space required for (data) by changing its format: The algorithm should compress the video file without losing any quality.

noun

Medicine/Medical. a soft, cloth pad held in place by a bandage and used to provide pressure or to supply moisture, cold, heat, or medication.
an apparatus for compressing cotton bales.
a warehouse for storing cotton bales before shipment.

Origin of compress

1350–1400; (v.) Middle English (< Middle French compresser) < Late Latin compressāre, frequentative of Latin comprimere to squeeze together (see com-, press¹); (noun) < Middle French compresse, noun derivative of the v.

Related formscom·press·i·ble, adjectivecom·press·i·bly, adverbcom·press·ing·ly, adverbnon·com·pres·si·ble, adjectiveo·ver·com·press, verb (used with object)pre·com·press, verb (used with object)un·com·press·i·ble, adjective

Synonyms for compress

1. condense, squeeze, constrict.

Synonym study

1. See contract.

Antonyms for compress

1. expand, spread.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for compressible

Historical Examples of compressible

They were tiny, but her hand was plump and white and might be compressible.
Marion's Faith.
Charles King
The heart, at first rapid and full, becomes weak and compressible.
The Home Medical Library, Volume I (of VI)
Various
With immensities of gloomy vanity, not compressible at all times.
History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. XVI. (of XXI.)
Thomas Carlyle
Piles are used as foundations in compressible or loose soil.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3
Various
Because water is not compressible, like air; it must therefore escape before the handle can be pressed in.
The Reason Why
Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for compressible

compress

verb (kəmˈprɛs)

(tr) to squeeze together or compact into less space; condense
computing to apply a compression program to (electronic data) so that it takes up less space

noun (ˈkɒmprɛs)

a wet or dry cloth or gauze pad with or without medication, applied firmly to some part of the body to relieve discomfort, reduce fever, drain a wound, etc
a machine for packing material, esp cotton, under pressure

Derived Formscompressible, adjectivecompressibleness, nouncompressibly, adverb

Word Origin for compress

C14: from Late Latin compressāre, from Latin comprimere, from premere to press

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for compressible

compress

late 14c., "to press (something) together," from Old French compresser "compress, put under pressure," from Latin compressare "to press together," frequentative of comprimere "to squeeze," from com- "together" (see com-) + premere "to press" (see press (v.1)). Related: Compressed; compressing.

compress

1590s in the surgical sense, from compress (v.).

compressible in Medicine

compress

[kŏm′prĕs′]

A soft pad of gauze or other material applied with pressure to a part of the body to control hemorrhage or to supply heat, cold, moisture, or medication to alleviate pain or reduce infection.

To press or squeeze together.