condense

condense Definition

con·dense (kən dens′)

transitive verb -·densed′, -·dens′·ing

to make more dense or compact; reduce the volume of; compress
to express in fewer words; make concise; abridge
to change (a substance) to a denser form, as from a gas to a liquid
Chem. to cause molecules of (the same or different substances) to combine to form a more complex compound, often with elimination of a simple molecule, as water

Etymology: Fr condenser < L condensare < condensus, very dense < com-, intens. + densus, dense

intransitive verb

to become condensed

condense Related Forms

con·dens′·able adjective or con·dens′·ible con·dens′·abil′·ity noun or con·dens′·ibil′·ity

condense Synonyms

To compress
press together, constrict, consolidate; see compress, contract 1, 2, decrease 1, 2.
To abridge
abbreviate, summarize, digest; see contract 2, decrease 2. See syn. study at contract.

condense Usage Examples

Object

boiler: Instead there are condensing communal boilers feeding each pod.
vapor: A refrigerated condenser may be used to condense the water vapor.
steam: By condensing the exhaust steam a vacuum is created in the low pressure cylinder, thus increasing the power.
locomotive: A condensing steam locomotive is constrained by being only able to reject heat to the atmosphere.
apparatus: This had to be changed to revolving condensing apparatus.
lens: These condensing lenses can be used either way round.

Preposition: on

surface: In spite of this, water may still condense on the surface of VELUX windows.
wall: I suspect it may be moisture from our showers condensing on the cold outside wall.

Preposition: into

cloud: There is also a small amount of water vapor that respires from plants and evaporates to join other water molecules in condensing into clouds.
droplet: They use the trick of cooling the aliens down, which makes the moisture condense into water droplets.
liquid: The vapors are then collected and allowed to condense back into a liquid.

Modifying Another Word

then: You can then condense this information down into a single value.
back: The vapors are then collected and allowed to condense back into a liquid.
not: Do not condense or stretch lines of type or, worse, single words, to fit your line length.
only: All new boilers must have an efficiency rating of A or B, and at the moment only condensing boilers achieve this.
again: Feel the connection between the hands stretch as they move apart, and condense again as they circle back together.
n't: Try and keep it quiet as canvas does n't condense noise!

Followed by an intransitive particle

Used with why or when

what: They condense what is being said into notes for the deaf person to read on screen or in Braille.

Infinitive complement

form: In the air, DMS is transformed into an aerosol of tiny particles on which water vapor can condense to form clouds.

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