Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON-DENSE', v.t. [condens'; L. condenso; con and denso, to make thick or close; It. condensare; Sp. and Port. condensar; Fr. condenser. See Dense.]

1. To make more close, thick or compact; to cause the particles of a body to approach, or to unite more closely, either by their own attraction or affinity, or by mechanical force. Thus, vapor is said to be condensed into water by the application of cold; and air is condensed in a tube by pressure. Hence the word is sometimes equivalent to compress.
2. To make thick; to inspissate; applied to soft compressible substances.
3. To compress into a smaller compass, or into a close body; to crowd; applied to separate individuals. Thus we say, to condense ideas into a smaller compass. – Dryden.