Compact | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Com-pāct', a.

adjective

a. [Lat. compactus, p. p. of compingere, from com and pangere, pactum, to fasten, fix.]

Sense 1. Closely and firmly united, as the particles of solid bodies; firm; close; solid; dense. “Glass, crystal, gems, and other compact bodies.” Newton.

Sense 2. Composed or made of. [Obs.]

A wandering fire, Compact of unctuous vapor. Milton.

Sense 3. Joined or held together. [Obs.]

A pipe of seven reeds, compact with wax together. Peacham.

Sense 4. Brief; close; pithy; not diffuse; not verbose; as, a compact discourse.

Synonyms—Firm; close; solid; dense; brief; pithy; sententious.

Cŏm′pact, n.

noun

n. [Lat. compactum, from compacisci, compactum, from com, for con, and pacisci, to make an agreement, from pacere, primitive of pacisci and pangere.] An agreement between parties; a covenant or contract;—either of individuals or of nations.

The law of nations depends on mutual compacts, treaties, leagues, &c. Blackstone.

Wedlock is described as the indissoluble compact. Macaulay.

Synonyms—See COVENANT.

Com-păct’, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. COMPACTED; p. pr. & vb. n. COMPACTING.] [From Lat. compingere, compactum. See COMPACT, a.] 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. Blackmore. 2. To unite or connect firmly, as in a system. The whole body fitly joined together and compacted. Eph. iv. 16.