Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

compressible

 - 5 dictionary results

com⋅press

  [v. kuhm-pres; n. kom-pres]
Use compressible in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to press together; force into less space.
2. to cause to become a solid mass: to compress cotton into bales.
3. to condense, shorten, or abbreviate: The book was compressed by 50 pages.
–noun
4. Medicine/Medical. a soft, cloth pad held in place by a bandage and used to provide pressure or to supply moisture, cold, heat, or medication.
5. an apparatus for compressing cotton bales.
6. a warehouse for storing cotton bales before shipment.
Origin:
1350–1400; (v.) ME (< MF compresser) < LL compressāre, freq. of L comprimere to squeeze together (see com-, press 1 ); (n.) < MF compresse, n. deriv. of the v.

Related forms:
com⋅press⋅i⋅ble, adjective
com⋅press⋅i⋅bly, adverb
com⋅press⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. condense, squeeze, constrict. See contract.

Antonyms:
1. expand, spread.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To compressible
com·press·i·ble   (kəm-prěs'ə-bəl)   
adj.  That can be compressed: compressible packing materials; a compressible box.
com·press'i·bil'i·ty, com·press'i·ble·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

compress 
c.1380, "to press (something) together," from O.Fr. compresser, from L. compressare "to press together," frequentative of comprimere "to squeeze," from com- "together" + premere "to press" (see press (v.1)). The noun, in the surgical sense, is from 1599.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 2com·press
Pronunciation: 'käm-"pres
Function: noun
1 : a covering consisting usually of a folded cloth that isapplied and held firmly by the aid of a bandage over a wound dressing to prevent oozing
2 : a folded wet or dry cloth applied firmly to a part (as to allay inflammation)
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

compress com·press (kŏm'prěs')
n.
A soft pad of gauze or other material applied with pressure to a part of the body to control hemorrhage or to supply heat, cold, moisture, or medication to alleviate pain or reduce infection. v. com·pressed, com·press·ing, com·press·es (kəm-prěs')
To press or squeeze together.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see compressible on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way