Compact, p. p. & a
Etymology: [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. A pipe of seven reeds, compact with wax together. Peacham.
2. Composed or made; -- with of. [Poetic] A wandering fire, Compact of unctuous vapor. Milton.
3. Closely or firmly united, as the particles of solid bodies; firm; close; solid; dense. Glass, crystal, gems, and other compact bodies. Sir I. Newton.
4. Brief; close; pithy; not diffuse; not verbose; as, a compact discourse.
1 more senses
Syn. -- Firm; close; solid; dense; pithy; sententious.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Compact, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Compacted; p. pr. & vb. n. Compacting.]
1. To thrust, drive, or press closely together; to join firmly; to consolidate; to make close; -- as the parts which compose a body. Now the bright sun compacts the precious stone. Blackstone.
2. To unite or connect firmly, as in a system. The whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth. Eph. iv. 16.
Compact, n.
An agreement between parties; a covenant or contract. The law of nations depends on mutual compacts, treaties, leagues, etc. Blackstone. Wedlock is described as the indissoluble compact. Macaulay. The federal constitution has been styled a compact between the States by which it was ratified. Wharton.
Syn. -- See Covenant.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for compact; he lists it under alliance, contract, terse.
Where he writes about it:
Compact is essentially the same as contract, but is applied to international agreements, treaties, etc. — from contract