Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COM-PRESS', v.t. [L. compressus, comprimo; con and premo, pressusus, to press. But the verb premo and participle pressus, may be from different roots. Fr. presser; D. pressen; Sp. apretar, and prensar. See Press.]

1. To press together by external force; to force, urge, or drive into a narrower compass; to crowd; as, to compress air. The weight of a thousand atmospheres will compress water twelve and a half per cent. – Perkins.
2. To embrace carnally. – Pope.
3. To crowd; to bring within narrow limits or space. Events of centuries … compressed within the compass of a single life. – D. Webster.