from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Compressor \Com*press"or\, n. [L.]
Anything which serves to compress; as:
(a) (Anat.) A muscle that compresses certain parts.
(b) (Surg.) An instrument for compressing an artery (esp.,
the femoral artery) or other part.
(c) An apparatus for confining or flattening between glass
plates an object to be examined with the microscope; --
called also {compressorium}.
(d) (Mach.) A machine for compressing gases; especially, an
air compressor.
[1913 Webster]