'Compress' definitions:

Definition of 'compress'

From: WordNet
noun
A cloth pad or dressing (with or without medication) applied firmly to some part of the body (to relieve discomfort or reduce fever)
verb
Make more compact by or as if by pressing; "compress the data" [syn: compress, compact, pack together] [ant: decompress, uncompress]
verb
Squeeze or press together; "she compressed her lips"; "the spasm contracted the muscle" [syn: compress, constrict, squeeze, compact, contract, press]

Definition of 'Compress'

From: GCIDE
  • Compress \Com*press"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Compressed; p. pr & vb. n. Compressing.] [L. compressus, p. p. of comprimere to compress: com- + premere to press. See Press.]
  • 1. To press or squeeze together; to force into a narrower compass; to reduce the volume of by pressure; to compact; to condense; as, to compress air or water. [1913 Webster]
  • Events of centuries . . . compressed within the compass of a single life. --D. Webster. [1913 Webster]
  • The same strength of expression, though more compressed, runs through his historical harangues. --Melmoth. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To embrace sexually. [Obs.] --Pope. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Computers) to reduce the space required for storage (of binary data) by an algorithm which converts the data to a smaller number of bits while preserving the information content. The compressed data is usually decompressed to recover the initial data format before subsequent use. [PJC]
  • Syn: To crowd; squeeze; condense; reduce; abridge. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Compress'

From: GCIDE
  • Compress \Com"press\, n. [F. compresse.] (Surg.) A folded piece of cloth, pledget of lint, etc., used to cover the dressing of wounds, and so placed as, by the aid of a bandage, to make due pressure on any part. [1913 Webster]