°To make smaller; to
press or
squeeze together, or to make something occupy a smaller space or volume.
"The force required to compress a spring varies linearly with the displacement."
°To be pressed together or
folded by
compression into a more economic, easier format.
"''Our new model compresses easily, ideal for storage and travel"
noun
°A multiply folded piece of
cloth, a
pouch of
ice etc., used to apply to a patient's skin, cover the dressing of wounds, and placed with the aid of a
bandage to apply
pressure on an injury.
"He held a cold compress over the sprain."
synonyms:
compact, condense, pack, press
more»
, squash, squeeze, contract, abridge, shorten, truncate