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compesce

transitive verb
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com·​pesce | \ kəmˈpes \
-ed/-ing/-s

Definition of compesce

archaic Scottish
: to hold in check : restrain

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History and Etymology for compesce

Middle English compessen, from Latin compescere, from com- + -pescere (akin to Latin parcere to spare, abstain)

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Dictionary Entries Near compesce

compere

compesce

compete

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Cite this Entry

“Compesce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compesce. Accessed 5 Jul. 2022.

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