Meaning of compact in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Definitions
  3. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions
  4. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  5. Qualitative Adjective
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    US accent

    UK accent

  1. Verb

    compact

    Definitions

    1. have the property of being packable or compactable or of compacting easily

    Examples

    • « This powder compacts easily »
    • « Such odd-shaped items do not pack well »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. compress into a wad

    Examples

    • « wad paper into the box »

    Derived terms

  3. 3. make more compact by or as if by pressing

    Examples

    • « compress the data »

    Antonyms

    Derived terms

  4. 4. squeeze or press together

    Examples

    • « she compressed her lips »
    • « the spasm contracted the muscle »

    Derived terms

  5. Classifying Adjective

    compact

    Definitions

    1. closely crowded together

    Examples

    • « a compact shopping center »
    • « a dense population »
    • « thick crowds »

    Synonyms

  6. 2. heavy and compact in form or stature

    Examples

    • « a wrestler of compact build »
    • « he was tall and heavyset »
    • « stocky legs »
    • « a thick middle-aged man »
    • « a thickset young man »

    Synonyms

  7. 3. briefly giving the gist of something

    Examples

    • « a short and compendious book »
    • « a compact style is brief and pithy »
    • « succinct comparisons »
    • « a summary formulation of a wide-ranging subject »

    Synonyms

  8. Noun

    compact

    Etymology

    late 16th century: from Latin compactum, past participle of compacisci, from com-‘with’ + pacisci‘make a covenant’. Compare with pact

    Definitions

    1. a small cosmetics case with a mirror

    Examples

    • « to be carried in a woman's purse »
  9. 2. a signed written agreement between two or more parties (nations) to perform some action

    Derived terms

  10. 3. a small and economical car

  11. Qualitative Adjective

    compact

    Etymology

    late Middle English: from Latin compact-‘closely put together, joined’, from the verb compingere, from com-‘together’ + pangere‘fasten’

    Definitions

    1. closely and firmly united or packed together

    Examples

    • « compact soil »
    • « compact clusters of flowers »

    Synonyms

    Antonyms

Famous quotes

  • « The worst enemy of truth and freedom in our society is the compact majority. »
    Henrik Ibsen
  • « There is no such thing as justice in the abstract it is merely a compact between men. »
    Epicurus
  • « The bringing-about of order is the first and fundamental task of government. We accept limits on our rights for the sake of a larger social compact all the time. »
    Jon Meacham
  • « What the world needs is a small, compact, flexible fusion technology that could make electricity where and when it is needed. The existing fusion program is leading to a huge source of centralized power, at a price that nobody except a government can afford. »
    Freeman Dyson
  • « As an artist I have an even more abiding interest in the compact between the Arts and Government. »
    Theodore Bikel

See also

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