com·pact
1 (kəm-păkt́, kŏm-, kŏḿpăkt́)
[Middle English, from Latin compāctus past participle of compingere, to put together, com-, com-, + pangere, to fasten.]
adjective
- Closely and firmly united or packed together; dense: compact clusters of flowers.
- Occupying little space compared with others of its type: a compact camera; a compact car.
- Brief and to the point; concise: a compact narration.
- Marked by or having a short solid physique: a wrestler of compact build.
verb: -pact·ed, -pact·ing, -pacts.
transitive verb
- To press or join firmly together: a kitchen device that compacted the trash.
- To make by pressing or joining together; compose.
- To consolidate; combine.
intransitive verb
- To be capable of being pressed tightly together or to become so pressed: garbage that compacts easily.
noun
- A small case containing a mirror, pressed powder, and a powder puff.
- An automobile that is bigger in size than a subcompact but smaller than an intermediate.
derivatives
- com·pact́ly
- adverb
- com·pact́ness
- noun
com·pact
2 (kŏḿpăkt́)
[Latin compactum neuter past participle of compacīscī, to make an agreement, com-, com-, + pacīscī, to agree; see pact.]
noun
- An agreement or a covenant. See synonyms at bargain
