Part 414

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.

Com*pressed" (?), a. 1. Pressed together; compacted; reduced in volume by pressure.

2. (Bot.) Flattened lengthwise.

Compressed-air engine, an engine operated by the elastic force of compressed air.

Com*press`i*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. compressibilitÚ.] The quality of being compressible of being compressible; as, the compressibility of elastic fluids.

Com*press"i*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. compressible.] Capable of being pressed together or forced into a narrower compass, as an elastic or spongy substance.

Com*press"ible*ness, n. The quality of being compressible; compressibility.

Com*pres"sion (?), n. [L. compressio: cf. F. compression.] The act of compressing, or state of being compressed. "Compression of thought." Johnson.

Com*press"ive (?), a. [Cf. F. compressif.] Compressing, or having power or tendency to compress; as, a compressive force.

Com*press"or (?), n. [L.] Anything which serves to compress; as: (a) (Anat.) A muscle that compresses certain parts. (b) (Surg.) An instrument for compressing an artery (esp., the femoral artery) or other part. (c) An apparatus for confining or flattening between glass plates an object to be examined with the microscope; -- called also compressorium. (d) (Mach.) A machine for compressing gases; especially, an air compressor.

Com*pres"sure (?; 135), n. Compression.

Com*print" (?), v. t. & i. 1. To print together.

2. (O. Eng. Law) To print surreptitiously a work belonging to another. E. Phillips.

Com"print (?), n. (O. Eng. Law) The surreptitious printing of another's copy or book; a work thus printed.

Com*pris"al (?), n. The act of comprising or comprehending; a compendium or epitome.

A comprisal . . . and sum of all wickedness. Barrow.

Com*prise" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Comprised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Comprising.] [From F. compris, comprise, p. p. of comprendre, L. comprehendere. See Comprehend.] To comprehend; to include.

Comprise much matter in few words. Hocker.

Friendship does two souls in one comprise. Roscommon.

Syn. -- To embrace; include; comprehend; contain; encircle; inclose; involve; imply.

Com"pro*bate (?), v. i. [L. comprobatus, p. p. of comprobare, to approve wholly.] To agree; to concur. [Obs.] Sir T. Elyot.

Com`pro*ba"tion (?), n. [L. comprobatio.] 1. Joint attestation; proof. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

2. Approbation. [Obs.] Foxe.

Com"pro*mise (?), n. [F. compromis, fr. L. compromissum a mutual promise to abide by the decision of an arbiter, fr. compromittere to make such a promise; com- + promittere to promise. See Promise.] 1. A mutual agreement to refer matters in dispute to the decision of arbitrators. [Obs.] Burrill.

2. A settlement by arbitration or by mutual consent reached by concession on both sides; a reciprocal abatement of extreme demands or rights, resulting in an agreement.

But basely yielded upon compromise That which his noble ancestors achieved with blows. Shak.

All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter. Burke.

An abhorrence of concession and compromise is a never failing characteristic of religious factions. Hallam.