compressor 
Specifically (a) In sunj., an instrument used for com- 
1156 
2. Joint approval ; approbation ; coneurrencp. 
To whom the Earl of I'embrooke imhosomes the whole 
lesign. iiiul presses his armprobatim in it. 
Sir O. Buck, Rich. III., p. 51). 
pressing some part of the body, for whieh it is adapted in 
form. \b) An attachment to a microscope, used for com- 
pressing objects in order to render possible a more com- 
plete examination of them. Also compresnorium. (c) In 
gun., a mechanism for holding a gun-carriage to its slide compromise (kom pro-miz) 
or platform during recoil. (</) A machine, usually driven '-- 
by steam, by which air is compres 
, , - ssed into a receiver so 
that its expansion may be utilized as a source of power at 
some distance, and usually at some place where an ordi- 
nary steam-engine could not be conveniently used, as deep 
in a mine, (e) Naut., a curved lever, worked by a small 
tackle just below the deck, for cheeking the chain cable 
when it is running out. (/) [NL. ; pi. i-ompressores (kom- 
pre-so'rez).] In aiiat., a name of several muscles which 
press together the parts on whieh they act, or press upon 
them : as, the compreaxor narix, a muscle which com- 
presses and closes or tends to close the nostrils ; the com- 
pressor urethra, etc. Aortic compressor. See ((iicfir. 
Compressor oculi (compressor of the eye), the choa- 
noideus or choanoid muscle of the eyeball of most mam- 
mals, but not found in man. Compressor prostatse 
(compressor of the prostate), a muscle which compresses 
the prostate gland. Compressor sacculi laryngis 
(compressor of the sac of the larynx). Same as anjtfiw- 
epiglottideiu. Compressor urethras (compressor of the 
urethra), a muscle which compresses the urethra, facilitat- 
ing the complete discharge of urine. Hydraulic com- 
pressor. See hydraulic. Parallel compressor, a de- 
vice for holding or compressing objects on the stand of a 
microscope. It consists of two plates of metal joined by 
hinged rods so as always to maintain a parallel position 
with reference to each other, and moved toward or away 
from each other by a screw. Reversible compressor, 
a microscope-slide fitted with a compressor which can be 
inverted to permit examination of either side of an object. 
compressorium (kom-pre-so'ri-um), n.; pi. 
compressoria (-a). [NL., < L. compressor: see 
compressor.] Same as compressor (b). 
compressure (kom-presh'ur), n. [< compress + 
-ure, after pressure.] The act of one body press- 
ing against or upon another, or the force with 
which it presses ; pressure. [Rare.] 
We tried whether heat would, notwithstanding so for- 
cible a compressure, dilate it. Boyle, Spring of the Air. 
compriestt (kom-presf), n. [< com- + priest. 
Cf. compresbyter.] A fellow-priest. 
Compsotlilypis 
II. iiitrana. To make a compromise ; agree by 
concession ; come to terms. 
compromiser (kom'pro-ml-zer), 71. One who 
compromises; one given to compromising. 
But for the honest, vacillating minds, . . . the timiil 
roiui'i-niiii*',-* \\liu are always trying to curve the straight 
lines and round the sharp angles of eternal law, the con- 
tinual debate of these living questions is the one ollercd 
means of grace. 0. W. Holmes, Old Vol. of Life, p. 81. 
^ 7t. [= D. Dan. 
kompromte (= G. compromixs = Sw. kompromittn, 
< ML.), < F. coinpromis = Pr. coinpromis = Sp. 
vompromiso = Pg. compromisso = It. compro- 
messo, < ML. LL. compromis-fitm, a compromise, ' 
orig. a mutual promise to refer to arbitration, compromise-wheel (kom'pro-miz-hwel), n. A 
car-wheel having a broad tread to adapt it to 
_,-- . . .. [< 
compromissory (=P. compromissoire = Pg.com- 
promissorio, < ML. compromigsum, a compro- 
mise; cf. promissory) + -ial.] Relating to a 
compromise. Bailey. 
compromit (kom-pro-mit'), v. t.; pret. and pp. 
oonpromitted, ppr. c'ompromitting. [< late ME. 
compromytte = P. compromettre = Sp. compro- 
metcr = Pg. comprometter = It. compromcttcre, 
orig. a mutual promise to refer to arbitration, compronuse-wueei uswm JH-O-IL iwci,, . 
prop. ueut. of L. compromisstts, pp. of comprti- car-wheel having a broad tread to adapt i 
mitterc,'make a mutual promise to abide by the tracks of slightly different gage, 
decision of an arbiter: see compromit, and cf. compromissorialt (koin"pro-im-so ri-al), a. 
promise, n.] 1. In civil laic, a mutual promise or 
contract of two parties in controversy to refer 
their differences to the decision of arbitrators. 
The parties are persuaded by friends or by their lawyers 
to put the matter in compromize. 
E. Knight, Tryall of Truth (1580), fol. 30. 
2. A settlement of differences by mutual con- 
cessions ; an agreement or compact adopted as 
the means of superseding an undetermined con- < L. compromittere, conpromittere, make a mu- 
troversy ; a bargain or arrangement involving tual promise to abide by the decision of an 
mutual concessions; figuratively, a combina- 
tion of two rival systems, principles, etc., in 
which a part of each is sacrificed to make the 
combination possible. 
O inglorious league ! 
Shall we, upon the footing of our land, 
Send fair-play orders, and make compromise, 
Insinuation, parley, and base truce, 
To arms invasive? Shak., K. John, v. 1. 
All government . . . is founded on compromise and bar- 
ter. Burke, Works, II. 169. 
It cannot be too emphatically asserted that this policy 
of compromise, alike in institutions, in actions, and in 
beliefs, which especially characterizes English life, is a 
policy essential to a society going through the transitions 
caused by continued growth and development. 
H. Spencer, Study of Sociol., p. 396. 
3. That which results from, or is founded on, 
such an agreement or settlement, as a specific 
What will he then praise them for? not for anything arrangement, a course of conduct, or an insti- 
)inc. but for deferring to do, for deferring to chastise . , . 
doing, but for deferring to do, for deferring to chastise 
his lewd and insolent compriestft. 
Milton, Apology for Smectymnuus. 
comprint (kom-prinf), v. i. [< com- + print.] 
In law, to print surreptitiously a work belong- 
ing to another. [Rare.] 
comprint (kom'print), n. [< comprint, v.] The 
surreptitious printing of a work belonging to 
another to the prejudice of the proprietor, or a 
work thus printed. [Rare.] 
comprisal (kom-pri'zal), n. [< comprise + -al.] 
The act or fact of comprising or comprehend- 
ing; inclusion. [Rare.] 
A comprisal . . . and sum of all wickedness. 
Barrow, Works, I. xviii. 
arbiter, LL. also promise at the same time, 
< com-, together, 4- promittcre, promise : see 
promise, (!., and compromise.] If. To pledge; 
engage ; bind. 
Compromyttynye them selfes . . . to abyde and per- 
forme all suche sentence and awarde as shulde by hym be 
gyuen. Sir T. Jilyot, The Govemour, iii. 4. 
2. To put to hazard by some act or measure ; 
endanger; prejudice; compromise. [Obsoles- 
cent, the form compromise being now generally 
used.] 
The ratification of the late treaty could not have mi- 
prmnitted our peace. Henry Clay. 
COmpromitment (kom-pro-mit ' ment), n. [< 
compromit + -ment.] The act of pledging or 
compromising one's self; the state of being so 
pledged or compromised. [Rare.] 
John Randolph was a frequent correspondent of Mon- 
roe. He urges him to come back from England ; he guards 
him against cuiiiproinitment to men in whom he cannot 
wholly confide. D. C. Gilinan, Monroe, p. 33. 
cent, by taking off one tenth of the excess every two 
years until 1842, when the whole excess was to cease. 
Compromise Of 1850, an agreement embodied in acts 
of Congress whereby, on the one hand, the slave-trade 
was abolished in the District of Columbia, and California 
was admitted as a free State, while, on the other hand, 
a more stringent fugitive-slave law was established, and 
., - ,, . . -t ^_ M trie opposing panics in v.ongress concerning import duties. 
comprise (kom-priz'), v. t. ; pret. and pp. com- It pr j;ft ded b & r the reduction of all such duties above 20 
prised, ppr. comprising. [< OF. compris, com- 
prins, P. compris (= Sp. It. comprenso = Pg. 
comprehenso, < L. comprensus), pp. of compren- 
dre, < L. comprehendere, contr. comprendere, 
pp. compreliensus, comprensus, comprehend : see 
comprehend. Cf. apprise^, reprise, surprise.] 1. 
To comprehend; contain; include; embrace: 
as, the German empire comprises a number of 
separate states. 
Necessity of shortness caxiseth men to cut off imperti- 
nent discourses, and to comprise much matter in few 
words. Hooker, Eccles. 1'olity, v. 32. 
Yet leave our cousin Katherinc here with us : 
She is our capital demand, compris'd 
Within the fore rank of our articles. 
Shah., Hen. V., v. 2. 
tutiou ; a medium between two rival courses, 
plans, etc. : as, his conduct was a compromise 
between his pride and his poverty. 
Almost all people descend to meet. All association COmprOVincialt (kom-pro-yin'shal), a. and 7!. 
must be a compromise, and, what is worst, the very flower 
and aroma of the flower of each of the beautiful natures 
disappears as they approach each other. 
Emernon, Friendship. 
4. A thing partaking of and blending the quali- 
ties, forms, or uses of two other and different 
things : as, a mule is a compromise between a 
horse and an ass; a sofa is a compromise be- 
tween a chair and a bed. [Colloq.] Compro- 
mise Act, a United States statute of 1833 (4 Stat., 629), so 
called because containing a basis of agreement between' 
the opposing parties in Congress concerning import duties. 
[= F. Sp. comprovincial, < ML. eomprociueialis, 
< L. com-, together, + provincia, province.] I. 
a. Belonging to or contained in the same prov- 
ince ; provincially connected or related. 
Six Islands, comprovinciall 
In auncient times unto great Britainee. 
Spemer, F. Q., III. iii. 32. 
A bishop could not be tried by a metropolitan without 
the presence of his comprovincial bishops. 
Quoted in /(. W. Dixorix Hist. Church of Eng., xix., note. 
II. n. One belonging to the same province or 
archiepiscopal jurisdiction. 
When the people is urgent for the speedy institution of 
a bishop, if any of the comprovincial^ be wanting, he must 
be certified by the primate ..." that the multitude re- 
quire a pastor." Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835), II. 186. 
Compsognatha (komp-sog'na-tha), n. pi. [NL., 
the Territories of Utah and New Mexico were organized neut. pi. of compsognathus, adj.: see Compsogna- 
with no restriction as to slavery. - Crittenden com- thus ^ A suborder of reptiles, of the order Orni- 
thoscelida, established for the reception of the 
genus Compsognathus. 
promise, an arrangement proposed in 1860 by Senator 
Crittenden of Kentucky, in order to avert civil war. Its 
leading terms were that slavery should be permanently for- 
That state which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor 
mind conceived, may comprise an infinite variety of pur- 
suits and occupations. 
J. II. Newman, Parochial Sermons, i. 4. 
2f. To press together; gather into a small com- 
pass; compress. 
Soone her garments loose 
Upgath'ring, in her bosome she compriz'd 
Well as she might, and to the Ooddesse rose. 
Spenser, !'. Q., III. vi. 19. 
= Syn. 1. To embrace, embody, inclose, encircle. 
COmprobatet (kom'pro-bat), v. i. [< L. com- 
probatus, pp. of comprobare, conprobare (> It. 
comprovare = Sp. comprobar = Pg. comprovar), 
approve, agree, concur, < com-, together, + 
probare, prove : see prove.] To agree or con- 
cur in testimony. 
That sentence . . . doo comprobate with holy Scripture 
that God is the fountain of sapience. 
Sir T. Eli/ot, The Oovernour, iii. 22. 
comprobationt (kom-pro-ba'shon), n. [= Sp. 
comprobacion = Pg. comprovaqfio = It. compro- 
bazione, < L. comprobatio(n-), < comprobare, con- 
which it was enacted that in all the territory ceded by ornithopod dinosaurian reptiles, typified by the 
tVniinp kitftvn Tjmffttaiu nn7-th of 3fi* MO' north latitude. ._** - i ii-_ . : 
France, known as Louisiana, north of 36 30 north latitude, ,, rnmnannnntlHiv havino- flip anterior vpr- 
excepting Missouri, slavery should be forever prohibited. g enus omi^ogiwtllllS, Ot , tne anterior vei 
Upon this concession by the proslavery party in Congress, tebrse opisthocoelian, the ischia with a long 
median symphysis, and tridactyl fore and hind 
limbs. 
compsognathous (kom^-sog'na-thus), a. [< 
NL. compsognathus. adj.: see Compsognathus, 
and cf. Compsognatha.] Pertaining to or hav- 
ing the characters of the Compsognatha. 
'na-thus), n. [NL., 
Missouri was admitted as a slave State. Its repeal in 1854, 
in the act for the admission of Kansas (10 Stat., 289, c. 59, 
32), led to disturbances of considerable historical im- 
compromise (kom'pro-miz), . ; pret. and pp. 
compromised,?, compromising. [< compro- 
mise, n.] I. trans. 1. To adjust or compound _ 
by a compromise ; settle or reconcile by mutual Compsognathus (komp-sog na-th 
concessions. < Gr - K0 f^> elegant, + yvaBof, jaw.] A genus 
of extinct reptiles, of the suborder Compsogna- 
tha, order Ornithoscelida, from the Solenhofen 
slates of Bavaria, remarkable as being the most 
bird-like reptiles known. It differs from the genera 
of Dtnosauria proper in the great length of the cervical 
vertebra) and in the shortness of the femur, which is not 
so long as the tibia. The astragalus was probably anky- 
losed with the tibia. The animal had a light bird-like head, 
jaws with numerous teeth, very long neck and hind limbs, 
and small fore limbs. According to Huxley, " it is impos- 
The controversy may easily be compromised. 
Fuller, General Worthies, vi. 
2f. To bind by bargain or agreement ; mutual- 
ly pledge. 
Laban and himself were compromis'd, 
That all the eanlings which were streak'd and pied 
Should fall as Jacob's hire. Shak., M. of V., i. 3. 
3. To expose to risk or hazard, or to serious 
consequences, as of suspicion or scandal, by 
some act or declaration ; prejudice ; endanger 
the reputation or the interests of: often used 
reflexively : as, he compromised himself by his 
sible ... to doubt that it hopped or walked in an erect 
or semi-erect position, after the manner of a bird, to whieh 
its long neck, slight head, and small anterior limbs must 
have given it an extraordinary resemblance." 
see comprobate.] 1. Joint attestation or rash statements. [A recent meaning, for which Compsothlypis (komp-soth'li-pis), n. [NL. (J. 
proof ; concurrent testimony. 
Comprobation from the mouths of at least two witnesses. 
Sir T. Browne. 
compromit was formerly used.] Cabanis, f50), < Qt.'mft^t, elegant, + 
To pardon all who had been compromised in the late a proper name.] The proper name of the genus 
disturbances. Motley. 
of birds commonly called Parula (which see). 
