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Compress Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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compress

[kəmˈprɛs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

file compression software

To reduce the size of a file or files by using a compression algorithm, making it easier to store or send over the internet. Compression can be lossless, where all original data can be recovered, or lossy, where some data is permanently removed.

Synonyms

compact, reduce, shrink.

Examples of usage

  • Make sure to compress the files before sending them via email.
  • I compressed the folder to save disk space.
Context #2 | Noun

physics

The reduction in the volume of a gas due to an increase in pressure or decrease in temperature. This phenomenon follows Boyle's law, which states that the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume.

Synonyms

compact, press, squeeze.

Examples of usage

  • The compress of the gas caused its volume to decrease.
  • Boyle's law explains the relationship between pressure and volume.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • In physics, compressing a gas increases its pressure. This principle is used in various machines, like engines.
  • Scientists study compression in materials to understand their properties under different forces, essential in engineering and construction.

Technology

  • File compression in computing makes digital data smaller to save space and allow quicker transfer over the internet.
  • Lossy and lossless methods are types of compression; the former reduces quality for size, while the latter maintains original quality.

Literature

  • In writing, 'compressing' can refer to summarizing long stories or concepts into shorter, clearer forms, making them more digestible.
  • Poetry often utilizes compression to express complex emotions in just a few carefully chosen words.

Health

  • In physical therapy, compression techniques are used to reduce swelling in injuries, like using bandages to wrap an injury tightly.
  • Compression garments, like stockings, can help with circulation and are often recommended for long trips.

Origin of 'compress'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'comprimere', where 'com-' means 'together' and 'premere' means 'to press'.
  • First recorded use in English dates back to the late 14th century, originally meaning to press together.

The word 'compress' has its origins in the Latin word 'compressus', which is the past participle of 'comprimere', meaning 'to press together'. The term has been used in various fields, including computing, physics, and mechanics, to describe the action of reducing the size or volume of something by applying pressure or force. Over time, 'compress' has become a common term in digital technology, where it refers to the process of reducing the size of files for storage or transmission.

See also: compressed, compressible, compression, compressor, compressors, decompress, decompressing, uncompress.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,688, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.