v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Condensed p. pr. & vb. n. Condensing. ] [ L. condensare; con- + densare to make thick or dense, densus thick, dense: cf. F. condenser. See Dense, and cf. Condensate. ] 1. To make more close, compact, or dense; to compress or concentrate into a smaller compass; to consolidate; to abridge; to epitomize. [ 1913 Webster ]

In what shape they choose,
Dilated or condensed, bright or obscure. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The secret course pursued at Brussels and at Madrid may be condensed into the usual formula, dissimulation, procrastination, and again dissimulation. Motley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Chem. & Physics) To reduce into another and denser form, as by cold or pressure; as, to condense gas into a liquid form, or steam into water. [ 1913 Webster ]

Condensed milk, milk reduced to the consistence of very thick cream by evaporation (usually with addition of sugar) for preservation and transportation. --
Condensing engine, a steam engine in which the steam is condensed after having exerted its force on the piston.

Syn. -- To compress; contract; crowd; thicken; concentrate; abridge; epitomize; reduce. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To become more compact; to be reduced into a denser form. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nitrous acid is gaseous at ordinary temperatures, but condenses into a very volatile liquid at the zero of Fahrenheit. H. Spencer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Chem.) (a) To combine or unite (as two chemical substances) with or without separation of some unimportant side products. (b) To undergo polymerization. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. condensus. ] Condensed; compact; dense. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The huge condense bodies of planets. Bentley. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. (Psychol) representing two or more ideas or emotions by a single symbol; as, a condensed expression of various feelings and ideas. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. shortened by rewriting with fewer words; -- used of texts; as, a condensed book. Opposite of unabridged.
Syn. -- abridged. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

3. reduced to a stronger or more concentrated form; as, condensed milk. Opposite of uncondensed.
Syn. -- concentrated[ 5 ]. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

4. narrower than usual for a particular height; -- of printers' type. Opposite of expanded. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, condenses. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Physic) (a) An instrument for condensing air or other elastic fluids, consisting of a cylinder having a movable piston to force the air into a receiver, and a valve to prevent its escape. (b) An instrument for concentrating electricity by the effect of induction between conducting plates separated by a nonconducting plate. (c) A lens or mirror, usually of short focal distance, used to concentrate light upon an object. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Chem.) An apparatus for receiving and condensing the volatile products of distillation to a liquid or solid form, by cooling. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Steam Engine) An apparatus, separate from the cylinder, in which the exhaust steam is condensed by the action of cold water or air. See Illust. of Steam engine. [ 1913 Webster ]

Achromatic condenser (Optics), an achromatic lens used as a condenser. --
Bull's-eye condenser, or
Bull's-eye (Optics), a lens of short focal distance used for concentrating rays of light. --
Injection condenser, a vessel in which steam is condensed by the direct contact of water. --
Surface condenser, an apparatus for condensing steam, especially the exhaust of a steam engine, by bringing it into contact with metallic surface cooled by water or air. [ 1913 Webster ]