Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “compactness” come from?

Compactness derives from English compact, from Latin compactum (past participle of compingere, meaning to join together), from the prefix com- (together).

compactness (English): the state of being compact

Definitions

  1. the state of being compact

Ancestry of “compactness”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishCompact—
2Latincompactumaccusative supine of compacīscor; agreement
3LatincompaciscorI make an agreement or form a compact with
4Latincōn-—
5Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
6Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
7Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
8Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
9Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
10Middle Englishkyt—
11Germankitt—
12Old High Germankuti—
13Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
14Proto-Germanickweduzresin
15Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
16Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

Words derived from “compactness”

  • noncompactness
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →