1. adj., v., & n.
--adj.
1. closely or neatly packed together.
2 (of a piece of equipment, a room, etc.) well-fitted and practical though small.
3 (of style etc.) condensed; brief.
4 (esp. of the human body) small but well-proportioned.
5 (foll. by of) composed or made up of.
--v.tr.
1. join or press firmly together.
2 condense.
3 (usu. foll. by of) compose; make up.
--n.
1. a small, flat, usu. decorated, case for face-powder, a mirror, etc.
2 an object formed by compacting powder.
3 US a medium-sized motor car.
Phrases and idioms:
compact disc a disc on which information or sound is recorded digitally and reproduced by reflection of laser light.
Derivatives:
compaction n. compactly adv. compactness n. compactor n.
Etymology: ME f. L compingere compact- (as COM-, pangere fasten) 2. n. an agreement or contract between two or more parties.
Etymology: L compactum f. compacisci compact- (as COM-, pacisci covenant): cf. PACT