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com·pact¹

(kəm-păkt, kŏm-, kŏmpăkt′)

adj.

1. Closely and firmly united or packed together; dense: compact clusters of flowers.

2. Occupying little space compared with others of its type: a compact camera; a compact car.

3. Brief and to the point; concise: a compact narration.

4. Marked by or having a short solid physique: a wrestler of compact build.

v. (kəm-păkt) com·pact·ed, com·pact·ing, com·pacts

v.tr.

1. To press or join firmly together: a kitchen device that compacted the trash.

a. To make by pressing or joining together; compose.

b. To consolidate; combine.

v.intr.

To be capable of being pressed tightly together or to become so pressed: garbage that compacts easily.

n. (kŏmpăkt′)

1. A small case containing a mirror, pressed powder, and a powder puff.

2. An automobile that is bigger in size than a subcompact but smaller than a midsize car.

[Middle English, from Latin compāctus, past participle of compingere, to put together : com-, com- + pangere, to fasten; see pag- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

com·pactly adv.

com·pactness n.

com·pact²

(kŏmpăkt′)

An agreement or a covenant. See Synonyms at agreement.

[Latin compactum, neuter past participle of compacīscī, to make an agreement : com-, com- + pacīscī, to agree; see PACT.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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