p. p. & a. [ L. compactus, p. p. of compingere to join or unite; com- + pangere to fasten, fix: cf. F. compacte. See Pact. ] 1. Joined or held together; leagued; confederated. [ Obs. ] “Compact with her that's gone.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] A pipe of seven reeds, compact with wax together. Peacham. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Composed or made; -- with of. [ Poetic ] [ 1913 Webster ] A wandering fire, Compact of unctuous vapor. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Closely or firmly united, as the particles of solid bodies; firm; close; solid; dense. [ 1913 Webster ] Glass, crystal, gems, and other compact bodies. Sir I. Newton. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Brief; close; pithy; not diffuse; not verbose; as, a compact discourse. Syn. -- Firm; close; solid; dense; pithy; sententious. [ 1913 Webster ] |