verb , noun
■ verb / kəmˈpres; NAmE /
1.
compress (sth) (into sth) to press or squeeze sth together or into a smaller space; to be pressed or squeezed in this way :
[ vn ]
compressed air / gas
[ v ]
Her lips compressed into a thin line.
2.
[ vn ] compress sth (into sth) to reduce sth and fit it into a smaller space or amount of time
SYN condense :
The main arguments were compressed into one chapter.
3.
[ vn ] ( computing ) to make computer files, etc. smaller so that they use less space on a disk, etc.
OPP decompress
► com·pres·sion / kəmˈpreʃn; NAmE / noun [ U ]:
the compression of air
data compression
■ noun
/ ˈkɒmpres; NAmE ˈkɑːm-/ a cloth that is pressed onto a part of the body to stop the loss of blood, reduce pain, etc.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French compresser or late Latin compressare , frequentative of Latin comprimere , from com- together + premere to press; or directly from compress- pressed together, from the verb comprimere .