compact

adjective kohm-PAKT Rare

Origin: Latin compactus (pressed together)

Also means

dense

Usage Note

Compact functions as both adjective and noun in French. As a noun it can refer to a compact car (voiture compacte) or a make-up compact (un compact de poudre). The t is pronounced in French, unlike the English adjective. The related verb compacter (to compact, compress) appears in computing and waste management.

Examples

"Cet appareil photo est très compact et léger."

Natural Translation

This camera is very compact and light.

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