[ad. L. condensātion-em, n. of action f. condensāre to CONDENSE; also in 14th c. F. (Oresme).]

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  1.  The action of making or becoming more dense; increase of density; reduction of volume.

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1603.  Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 1337. Condensation and constipation depresseth and driveth it [matter] downward to the middle.

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1660.  Boyle, New Exp. Phys. Mech., i. 32. By condensation, he reduc’d the Air into a space … eight times narrower.

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1831.  Lardner, Pneumat., v. 308. The condensation of air in the receiver.

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1878.  C. H. H. Parry, in Grove, Dict. Mus., I. 159. These waves [of sound] consist of alternate condensation and rarefaction.

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  b.  Optics. Concentration (of light): cf. CONDENSE v. 1 b, CONDENSER 7.

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1832.  A. Pritchard, Microsc. Cabinet, 189. A condensation by means of a lens.

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  2.  spec. The conversion of a substance from the state of gas or vapor to the liquid, or (rarely) to the solid, condition.

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1614.  Raleigh, Hist. World, I. 90. Condensation is a conversion of Ayre into Water.

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1813.  Sir H. Davy, Agric. Chem., ii. (1814), 37. Cold is produced during evaporation and heat during the condensation of steam.

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1858.  Lardner, Hand-bk. Nat. Phil., Heat., 333. Names of Gases condensed. Pressure under which Condensation took place.

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1876.  Glen, Public Health Act, 1875, III. (ed. 8), 73. An act was passed for the more effectual condensation of such gas in alkali works.

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Mod.  The condensation of milk into a viscous mass.

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  3.  Condensed condition.

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1626.  Bacon, Sylva, § 77. A notable instance of Condensation and Induration by Burial under Earth.

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1833.  Brewster, Nat. Magic, viii. 186. In a state of condensation or rarefaction.

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1858.  Greener, Gunnery, 264. The amazing degree of condensation of the elastic air in the nitre and gunpowder.

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  b.  quasi-concr. A condensed mass of anything.

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1665.  Manley, Grotius’ Low-C. Warres, 413. When … a remission of cold loosens these conjoyned condensations, the several fragments … are violently carried into the Sea.

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1725.  N. Robinson, Th. Physick, 61. Hail is a Condensation of the same Nitrous Particles.

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1865.  Grote, Plato, I. i. 19. Condensations of vapours exhaled from the Earth.

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  4.  The action of crowding or condition of being crowded closely together; dense aggregation.

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1828.  W. Sewell, Oxf. Prize Ess., 45. The condensation of a manufacturing populace.

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  5.  fig. The compression of thought or meaning into few words; reduction (of a literary work, etc.) within small or moderate compass by due arrangement, and omission of unessential details.

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1794.  Mathias, Purs. Lit. (1798), 36. The … condensation of thought and expression, which distinguish this poet.

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1875.  Lyell, Princ. Geol., I. i. iii. 58. A want of arrangement and condensation in his memoirs.

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1879.  M. Arnold, Guide Eng. Lit., Mixed Ess. 199. A little condensation … would abridge it by another page.

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  b.  quasi-concr.

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1795.  Pratt, Glean. Wales, etc., I. 382. It has all the condensation of thought, for which Pope is so justly celebrated.

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1867.  Morning Star, 5 Aug., 5. Its first leader … is a condensation of sensible thought into clever writing.

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1886.  Morley, Ht. Martineau, Crit. Misc. III. 204. The condensation of Comte’s Positive Philosophy … is said … to be hardly free from some too hasty renderings.

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  c.  Concentration (in fig. sense). rare–1.

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1855.  Milman, Lat. Chr. (ed. 3), I. II. i. 106. The gradual condensation of the supreme Ecclesiastical power in the Supreme Bishop.

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