COMPRESSION


Meaning of COMPRESSION in English

kəmˈpreshən noun

( -s )

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle English compressioun, from Latin compression-, compressio, from compressus (past participle of comprimere to compress) + -ion-, -io -ion

1. : the act or action of compressing:

a. : restraining , repressing

a stern compression of all emotion

b. : condensing, concentrating

the poet's compression of form and content

c.

(1) : the process of compressing the working substance in a heat engine (as the fuel mixture in a cylinder of an internal-combustion engine prior to the explosion)

(2) : compression ratio

d. : passage of larval stages within the egg whether due to accelerated development or to prolongation of the period preceding hatching

e. : subjection of a workman to compressed air in an air lock before he goes into a caisson to work

2. : the quality or state of being compressed, pressed in, together, or upon or of being concentrated or condensed

the compressions of tyranny

a novel showing admirable compression of phrase and idea

3. : the result of being compressed: as

a. : indentation , hollow , dent ; especially : the effect of a compressive force upon a body part

compression of an artery by forceps

compression of the brain by the bones in a depressed fracture

b. : fossil plant remains that have been somewhat flattened by the vertical pressure of overlying strata

c.

(1) : the shortening produced in a body by a longitudinal compressive force (as a load applied to a short column)

(2) : this shortening per unit of length

(3) : fractional decrease of volume due to pressure

(4) : compressive stress

d. : the reduction of the volume range of an incoming radio signal whether purposely in order to counteract signal fading or distortion or because of some defect in the circuit

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.