compressor
/kəmˈprɛsər/
noun
Origin
Latin
compressare — to press together
Overview
Meaning Now
- A machine or device for reducing the volume of gases or other fluids by increasing their pressure.
- A device used in audio signal processing to reduce the dynamic range of an audio signal by attenuating peaks.
Literal older meaning
one that presses together
Language path
Latin → Middle French → English
Earliest form
compressour
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The term evolved from medical and anatomical usage in the 17th century, where a 'compressor' was an instrument used to press down on a vein or artery, to the industrial revolution where it was applied to machinery intended to pressurize air or refrigerants.
Evolution
- Classical Latin
compressus
“pressed together”
Past participle of comprimere
- Middle French
compresseur
“one that presses”
Direct adaptation of Latin agent noun
- 17th century English
compressor
“a surgical instrument for compressing blood vessels”
- 19th century English
compressor
“mechanical apparatus for gas pressure”
Development of industrial technology
Connections
Word parts
com-
prefix
together
press
root
to push
-or
suffix
agent
Related across languages
French
compresseur
compressor
Spanish
compresor
compressor
Italian
compressore
compressor
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Related to compressor
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.