Mechanical devices that increase the pressure of gases by reducing their volume, or audio devices that reduce the dynamic range of sound signals. Used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and audio production.
From Latin compressus, past participle of comprimere 'to press together' (com- 'together' + premere 'to press'), plus the agent suffix -or. The term entered English in the 18th century with the development of pneumatic machinery.
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