definitions
  • synonyms

compress

[ verb kuhm-pres; noun kom-pres ]
/ verb kəmˈprɛs; noun ˈkɒm prɛs /
|

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

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Nearby words

comprehensible, comprehension, comprehensive, comprehensive school, comprehensively, compress, compressed, compressed air, compressed speech, compressibility, compression

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.
SYNONYMS FOR compress
1 condense, squeeze, constrict.
ANTONYMS FOR compress
1 expand, spread.
Related forms

Synonym study

1. See contract.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for non-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

Medicine definitions for non-compressible

compress

[ kŏm′prĕs′ ]

n.

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.

v.

To press or squeeze together.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.