[cf. OF. compact, It. compatto (Florio), ad. L. compact-um a compact, agreement, subst. use of pa. pple. of the vb. compacisci to covenant together, f. com- + pacisci to covenant, contract; see PACT. Not immediately connected in Eng. or Latin with the following words, though pang-ĕre and pac-ĕre, pac-isci were related farther back. Originally accented on second syllable (so 6 times out of 7 in Shaks.), but noted in Phillips, 1696, as accented on the first.]
1. A covenant or contract made between two or more persons or parties; a mutual agreement or understanding; ‘a mutual and settled appointment between two or more, to do or to forbear something’ (J.). It is used without a in phrases, as by, from, with compact; also to strike compact.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., V. iv. 163. Therefore take this compact of a Truce. Ibid. (1602), Ham., I. i. 86. By a Seal’d Compact, Well ratified by Law, and Heraldrie.
1597. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. lxii. § 15. Christ’s own compact solemnly made with his church.
1598. Hakluyt, Voy, I. 270. (R.). Any compacts, treaties or leagues, by vs or any of our progenitours heretofore had or made.
1651. Hobbes, Govt. & Soc., ii. § 14. 27. No man … by his compact, obligeth himself to an impossibility.
1765. Blackstone, Comm., I. 45. A compact is a promise proceeding from us, law is a command directed to us.
1836. Thirlwall, Greece, III. xxii. 212. To fulfil their part of the compact.
1866. Kingsley, Herew., viii. He made a compact with the foul fiend.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., I. x. 41. An Art, which without compact commandeth the powers of hell.
1722. Wollaston, Relig. Nat., vi. 135. A title to many things may be transferred by compact.
1750. Harris, Hermes, III. i. (1786), 314. The Meaning … of Language is derived, not from Nature, but from Compact.
1850. Gladstone, Glean., V. xxxiii. 193. Has such an attribute come to it by compact?
b. Family compact, social compact: see FAMILY, SOCIAL. General compact: general accord, common consent.
1750. Johnson, Rambler, No. 77, ¶ 15. Having extinguished in themselves the distinction of right and wrong … they deserved to be hunted down by the general compact.
1793. Southey, Nondescripts, i. If we act the governor, and break The social compact.
1808. J. Barlow, Columb., II. 195. Human souls, for social compact given.
1842. H. Rogers, Introd. Burke’s Wks., 8. Unless there has been an actual violation of the existing social compact … a revolution is unjustifiable.
1848. G. Barmby, in The Apostle, No. i. 8. The 4th claim for private property is the presumed formation of a social compact or convention of society, authorizing private possessional claim.
† c. In a bad sense: Confederacy, plot, conspiracy. Obs.
1590. Shaks., Com. Err., II. ii. 163. What is the course and drift of your compact?
1652. C. B. Stapylton, Herodian, XI. 87. Albinus Friends he chargeth with Compact.
