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Where does the word "compact" come from? It comes from Latin compactus, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).
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Where does the word "compact" come from? It comes from Latin compactus, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).
Compact’s story begins in Latin: compactus meant “joined together.” Past participle of 'compingere', to join. It reached English by 1400s as compact. 'compact disc' dates from 1979. Today, compact means closely packed; small.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient compactus "joined together", past participle of 'compingere', to join.
- Stage 2 · English · 1400s compact "firmly united", 'compact disc' dates from 1979.