compact
UK: /kəmˈpækt/ | US: /kəmˈpækt/
adj. 1. closely and neatly packed together; dense
adj. 2. concise and brief in form or expression
n. 1. a small flat case containing face powder or makeup
vt. 1. to compress or pack tightly together
The word "compact" originates from Latin compactus, the past participle of compingere ("to fasten together"), formed from com- (intensive prefix meaning "together") and pangere ("to fix, fasten"). The core idea of "pressing or binding tightly" persists in modern meanings, whether describing physical density (adj.), brevity (adj.), or a makeup case (n., originally a small pressed powder container). The verb sense extends the original Latin action of compression.
The apartment had a compact layout, maximizing every inch of space.
She wrote a compact summary of the research paper.
Her purse held a mirror and a powder compact.
The machine compacts trash into dense blocks for recycling.
The team worked in a compact group to finish the project quickly.