Compactify

/kəmˈpæktɪfaɪ/ verb

Definition

To make compact; to compress or reduce into a more compact form (especially used in mathematics and physics).

Etymology

From 'compact' + '-ify' (suffix meaning 'to make or cause to become'). A technical verb emerging in mathematics and theoretical physics to describe the transformation of spaces.

Kelly Says

When physicists use 'compactify,' they're describing one of the most elegant solutions to a massive problem: string theory requires 10 dimensions, but we only perceive 4, so they literally compactify the other 6 into subatomic scales.

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