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¹compact

adjective com·pact \kəm-ˈpakt, käm-ˈ, ˈkäm-ˌ\

: smaller than other things of the same kind

: using little space and having parts that are close together

: closely or firmly packed or joined together

Full Definition of COMPACT

: predominantly formed or filled : composed, made

a : having a dense structure or parts or units closely packed or joined <a compact woolen> <compact bone>

b : not diffuse or verbose <a compact statement>

c : occupying a small volume by reason of efficient use of space <a compact camera> <a compact formation of troops>

d : short-bodied, solid, and without excess flesh

: being a topological space and especially a metric space with the property that for any collection of open sets which contains it there is a subset of the collection with a finite number of elements which also contains it

— com·pact·ly \-ˈpak(t)-lē, -ˌpak(t)-\ adverb

— com·pact·ness \-ˈpak(t)-nəs, -ˌpak(t)-\ noun

See compact defined for English-language learners

See compact defined for kids

Origin of COMPACT

Middle English, firmly put together, from Latin compactus, from past participle of compingere to put together, from com- + pangere to fasten — more at pact

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to COMPACT

Synonyms: firm, hard, rigid, solid, stiff, unyielding

Antonyms: flabby, soft, spongy, squashy, squishy

Rhymes with COMPACT

abstract, attract, class act, contact, contract, crookbacked, detract, didact, diffract, distract, enact, entr'acte, epact, exact, extract, humpbacked, hunchbacked, impact, infract, intact, mossbacked, playact, protract, react, redact, refract, retract, sex act, subtract, swaybacked, transact, unbacked

²compact

verb

: to press (something) so that it is harder and fills less space

Full Definition of COMPACT

transitive verb

: to make up by connecting or combining : compose

a : to knit or draw together : combine

b : to press together : compress

intransitive verb

: to become compacted

— com·pact·ible \-ˈpak-tə-bəl, -ˌpak-\ adjective

— com·pac·tor also com·pact·er \-ˈpak-tər, -ˌpak-\ noun

See compact defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of COMPACT

15th century

Related to COMPACT

Synonyms: center, centralize, concenter, concentrate, consolidate, polarize, unify, unite

Antonyms: decentralize, deconcentrate, spread (out)

³compact

noun com·pact \ˈkäm-ˌpakt\

Definition of COMPACT

: something that is compact or compacted:

a : a small cosmetic case (as for compressed powder)

b : an automobile smaller than an intermediate but larger than a subcompact

First Known Use of COMPACT

1601

⁴compact

noun com·pact \ˈkäm-ˌpakt\

Definition of COMPACT

: an agreement or covenant between two or more parties

Origin of COMPACT

Latin compactum, from neuter of compactus, past participle of compacisci to make an agreement, from com- + pacisci to contract — more at pact

First Known Use: 1591

COMPACTNESS Defined for Kids