An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

To press together; force into less space.

Etymology (EN): From O.Fr. compresser, from L. compressare “to press together,” from comprimere “to squeeze,” from → com- “together”

• premere “to press;” PIE *prem-/*pres- “to strike.”

Etymology (PE): Tanjidan “to squeeze, press, pull together,” related to tang “tight,” also “horse girth, a strap for fastening a load” (Mid.Pers.
tang “tight, narrow”); cf. Skt. tanákti “draws together, contracts;” cognate with E. → tight; cp. Skt. tanákti “draws together, contracts;” M.H.G. dihte “dense, thick;” Ger. dicht “dense, tight;” O.H.G. gidigan; Ger. gediegen “genuine, solid, worthy;” PIE *tenk- “to thicken, clot; thick, solid.”