compact Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a small cosmetics case with a mirror; to be carried in a woman's purse
    powder compact.
  2. noun a signed written agreement between two or more parties (nations) to perform some action
    covenant; concordat.
  3. noun a small and economical car
    compact car.
  4. verb have the property of being packable or of compacting easily
    pack.
    • This powder compacts easily
    • Such odd-shaped items do not pack well
  5. verb compress into a wad
    wad; bundle; pack.
    • wad paper into the box
  6. verb make more compact by or as if by pressing
    compress; pack together.
    • compress the data
  7. verb squeeze or press together
    compress; contract; press; constrict; squeeze.
    • she compressed her lips
    • the spasm contracted the muscle
  8. adjective closely and firmly united or packed together
    • compact soil
    • compact clusters of flowers
  9. adjective satellite having a short and solid form or stature
    stocky; thick; thickset; heavyset.
    • a wrestler of compact build
    • he was tall and heavyset
    • stocky legs
    • a thickset young man
  10. adjective satellite briefly giving the gist of something
    summary; succinct; compendious.
    • a short and compendious book
    • a compact style is brief and pithy
    • succinct comparisons
    • a summary formulation of a wide-ranging subject

WordNet

Com*pact" past participle & adjective
Etymology
L. compactus, p. p. of compingere to join or unite; com- + pangere to fasten, fix: cf. F. compacte. See Pact.
Definitions
  1. Joined or held together; leagued; confederated. Obs. "Compact with her that's gone." Shak.
    A pipe of seven reeds, compact with wax together. Peacham.
  2. Composed or made; -- with of. Poetic
    A wandering fire, Compact of unctuous vapor. Milton.
  3. Closely or firmly united, as the particles of solid bodies; firm; close; solid; dense.
    Glass, crystal, gems, and other compact bodies. Sir I. Newton.
  4. Brief; close; pithy; not diffuse; not verbose; as, a compact discourse. Syn. -- Firm; close; solid; dense; pithy; sententious.
Com*pact" transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Compacted; present participle & verbal noun Compacting
Definitions
  1. To thrust, drive, or press closely together; to join firmly; to consolidate; to make close; -- as the parts which compose a body.
    Now the bright sun compacts the precious stone. Blackstone.
  2. To unite or connect firmly, as in a system.
    The whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth. Eph. iv. 16.
Com"pact noun
Etymology
L. compactum, fr. compacisci, p. p. compactus, to make an agreement with; com- + pacisci to make an agreement. See Pact.
Definitions
  1. An agreement between parties; a covenant or contract.
    The law of nations depends on mutual compacts, treaties, leagues, etc. Blackstone.
    Wedlock is described as the indissoluble compact. Macaulay.
    The federal constitution has been styled a compact between the States by which it was ratified. Wharton.
    Syn. -- See Covenant.

Webster 1913