Compact
/ˈkɒm.pækt/noun
Formed into a dense, tightly packed shape; also, an agreement or covenant.
Did you know?In Latin, compingere meant to “bind together,” and that same root gave English both the idea of something tightly packed and the idea of a binding agreement.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*peḱ-
“to fasten, join, or drive together”
Latin
Latin
com- + pangere
“to drive together, fasten, fix firmly”
Late Latin
Latin
compactus
“pressed or bound together”
Old French
Old French
compact
“an agreement, covenant”
Middle English
English
compact
“a covenant, agreement; later, closely joined or dense”
Modern English
English
compact
“closely packed; an agreement or contract”