Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Compact?

\Com*pact"\ (k[o^]m*p[a^]kt"), p. p. & a [L. compactus, p. p. of compingere to join or unite; com- + pangere to fasten, fix: cf. F. compacte. See {Pact}.] 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"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Compacted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Compacting}.] 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\, n. [L. compactum, fr. compacisci, p. p. compactus, to make an agreement with; com- + pacisci to make an agreement. See {Pact}.] 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}.
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