compact

adjective

com·pact | \ kəm-ˈpakt

, käm-ˈpakt, ˈkäm-ˌpakt\

Definition of compact

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : predominantly formed or filled : composed, made Miss Austen's novels are compact of delicate trivialities …— Samuel Alexander

2a : having a dense structure or parts or units closely packed or joined a compact woolen compact bone

b : not diffuse or verbose a compact statement

c : occupying a small volume by reason of efficient use of space a compact camera a compact formation of troops

d : short-bodied, solid, and without excess flesh He had a small, compact body that looked full of life.— D. H. Lawrence

3 : being a topological space and especially a metric space with the property that for any collection of open sets which contains it there is a subset of the collection with a finite number of elements which also contains it

compact

verb

compacted; compacting; compacts

Definition of compact (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to make up by connecting or combining : compose

2a : to knit or draw together : combine

b : to press together : compress

intransitive verb

: to become compacted

compact

noun (1)

com·pact | \ ˈkäm-ˌpakt

Definition of compact (Entry 3 of 4)

: something that is compact or compacted:

a : a small cosmetic case (as for compressed powder)

b : an automobile smaller than an intermediate but larger than a subcompact

compact

noun (2)

com·pact | \ ˈkäm-ˌpakt

Definition of compact (Entry 4 of 4)

: an agreement or covenant between two or more parties

Other Words from compact Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about compact

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Other Words from compact

Adjective

compactly \ kəm-ˈpak(t)-lē

, käm-ˈpak(t)- , ˈkäm-ˌpak(t)- \ adverb

compactness \ kəm-ˈpak(t)-nəs

, käm-ˈpak(t)- , ˈkäm-ˌpak(t)- \ noun

Verb

compactible \ kəm-ˈpak-tə-bəl

, käm-ˈpak- , ˈkäm-ˌpak- \ adjective

compactor or less commonly compacter \ kəm-ˈpak-tər

, käm-ˈpak- , ˈkäm-ˌpak- \ noun

Examples of compact in a Sentence

Adjective

The drill has a compact design. the apartment's compact floor plan The cabin was compact but perfectly adequate. He is compact and muscular. He has a compact body.

Verb

The snow had compacted into a hard icy layer. the media giant decided to compact all of its far-flung operations onto a single site

First Known Use of compact

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1601, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1591, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for compact

Adjective and Verb

Middle English, firmly put together, from Latin compactus, from past participle of compingere to put together, from com- + pangere to fasten — more at pact

Noun (2)

Latin compactum, from neuter of compactus, past participle of compacisci to make an agreement, from com- + pacisci to contract — more at pact

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