[dense] adj dens.er ; dens.est [L densus; akin to Gk dasys thick with hair or leaves] (15c) 1 a: marked by compactness or crowding together of parts b: having a high mass per unit volume "carbon dioxide is a ~ gas"
2. a: marked by a stupid imperviousness to ideas or impressions: thickheaded b: extreme "~ ignorance"
3: having between any two elements at least one element "the set of rational numbers is ~"
4: demanding concentration to follow or comprehend "~ prose"
5: having high or relatively high opacity "a ~ fog" "a ~ photographic negative" syn see stupid -- dense.ly adv -- dense.ness n