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 .