COMPRESS


Meaning of COMPRESS in English

I. kəmˈpres verb

( -ed/-ing/-es )

Etymology: Middle English compressen, from Late Latin compressare, from Latin compressus, past participle of comprimere to compress, from com- + -primere (from premere to press) — more at press

transitive verb

: to reduce the volume, size, duration, density, or degree of concentration of by or as if by pressure: as

a. : to make (an opening or the inner capacity of) smaller : constrict , close

compress a severed artery

b.

(1) : to press together : squeeze

compress a bundle under one's arm

his lips were … compressed by thought — Thomas Hardy

(2) obsolete : embrace

c. : to make hard or solid

the lint is then blown into the press and compressed into bales — American Guide Series: Tennessee

d. : repress , restrain

compress an angry mob

the culprit … sat compressing hysterics before him — George Meredith

e. : to reduce the volume of by pressure

compress air

f. : condense

compress much thought into few words

the government … compressed into less than five years … what might have otherwise taken a generation — F.L.Allen

g. : to make smaller in size

when the bird drops it immediately squats and compresses its plumage — W.F.Brown b.1903

the gunman compressed his body against the shadowy wall

h. : to subject (a workman) to compression in an air lock

intransitive verb

: to undergo compression

if plates are mounted on wood blocks, these blocks may compress a great deal under pressure — Theory & Practice of Presswork

Synonyms: see contract

II. ˈkämˌpres noun

( -es )

Etymology: Middle French compresse, from compresser to compress, from Late Latin compressare

1.

a. : a covering consisting usually of a folded cloth that is applied and held firmly by the aid of a bandage over a wound dressing to prevent oozing

b. : a folded wet or dry cloth applied firmly to a part (as to allay inflammation)

2. : a machine for compressing cotton bales as they come from the gin

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.