Compress

Cloth (or another material) applied under pressure to an area of the skin and held in place for a period of time. A compress can be any temperature (cold, luke arm, or hot) and it can be dry or wet. It may also be impregnated with medication or, in traditional medicine, an herbal remedy. Most compresses are used to relieve inflammation.

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A pad of gauze or other material applied for local pressure. [L. com-primo, pp. -pressus, to press together]

- graduated c. layers of cloth thickest in the center, becoming thinner toward the periphery.

- wet c. gauze moistened with saline or antiseptic solution.

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com·press kəm-'pres vt

1) to press or squeeze together <a ligament in the wrist was \compressing a nerve>

2) to reduce in size or volume as if by squeezing <\compress air>

com·press 'käm-.pres n

1) a covering consisting usu. of a folded cloth that is applied and held firmly by the aid of a bandage over a wound dressing to prevent oozing

2) a folded wet or dry cloth applied firmly to a part (as to allay inflammation)

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n.

a pad of material soaked in hot or cold water and applied to an injured part of the body to relieve the pain of inflammation.

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com·press (komґpres) [L. compressus] a pad or bolster of folded gauze or other material, applied with pressure; it is sometimes medicated, and may be wet or dry, hot or cold.