v. & n.
v.tr. 1 squeeze together. 2 bring into a smaller space or shorter extent.
n. a pad of lint etc. pressed on to part of the body to relieve inflammation, stop bleeding, etc. compressed air air at more than atmospheric pressure. compressible adj. compressibility n. compressive adj.
[ ME f. OF compresser or LL compressare frequent. of L comprimere compress- (as COM-, premere press) ]