compressing
NounSynonyms:
compression
WordNet 3.0
Noun (1)
- applying pressureSynonyms: compression
Webster's Dictionary (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]