compressor

Etymology

compress + -or, or from New Latin compressor.

noun

1. A device that produces pressure, such as a gas compressor that produces pressurized gas.
2. A device that squeezes (compresses).
   1. An instrument for compressing an artery (especially the femoral artery) or other part.
   2. An apparatus for confining or flattening between glass plates an object to be examined with the microscope; a compressorium.
   3. A machine for compressing gases, especially an air compressor.
3. (audio, sound engineering) A device that reduces the dynamic range of an audio signal.
4. (anatomy) A muscle that compresses certain parts.
5. (computing) A program or algorithm for compressing data.