compress
UK: kəmˈpres | US: kəmˈpres
vt. to press or squeeze together
vt. to reduce in size or volume by applying pressure
n. a folded cloth or pad applied to the body to reduce swelling or stop bleeding
The word "compress" originates from Latin comprimere, combining com- (meaning "together") and premere (meaning "to press"). This reflects the action of pressing things into a smaller space. Over time, the term evolved in Middle English (via Old French compresser) to describe both physical compression (e.g., squeezing materials) and metaphorical reduction (e.g., compressing data). The medical sense (n.) emerged from the practice of applying pressure to wounds.
She used a cold compress to reduce the swelling.
The machine compresses files to save storage space.
He compressed the clothes into a tight bundle.
Compressing the spring requires significant force.
The essay was compressed into a single paragraph.