COMPACT


Meaning of COMPACT in English

adjective , noun , verb

■ adjective / kəmˈpækt; ˈkɒmpækt; NAmE ˈkɑ:m/

1.

smaller than is usual for things of the same kind :

a compact camera

2.

using or filling only a small amount of space :

The kitchen was compact but well equipped.

3.

closely and firmly packed together :

a compact mass of earth

4.

( of a person or an animal ) small and strong :

He had a compact and muscular body.

►  com·pact·ly adverb

►  com·pact·ness noun [ U ]

■ noun / ˈkɒmpækt; NAmE ˈkɑːm-/

1.

( NAmE ) a small car

—compare subcompact

2.

a small flat box with a mirror, containing powder that women use on their faces

3.

( formal ) a formal agreement between two or more people or countries

■ verb

/kəmˈpækt/ [ vn ] [ usually passive ] to press sth together firmly :

a layer of compacted snow

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WORD ORIGIN

adjective and noun senses 1 to 2 verb late Middle English : from Latin compact- closely put together, joined, from the verb compingere , from com- together + pangere fasten.

noun sense 3 late 16th cent.: from Latin compactum , past participle of compacisci , from com- with + pacisci make a covenant. Compare with pact .

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.