Etymology Borrowed from Middle French condenser, from Latin condēnsō.
1
To concentrate toward the essence by making more close, compact, or dense, thereby decreasing size or volume.
An abridged dictionary can be further condensed to pocket size.
Boiling off water condenses a thin sauce into a soupier mixture.
2 more examples
In what shape they choose, Dilated or condensed, bright or obscure.1667, John Milton, “Book I”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
The secret course pursued both at Brussels and at Madrid may be condensed into the usual formula, dissimulation, procrastination, and again dissimulation.1856, John Lothrop Motley, The Rise of the Dutch Republic. A History. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers, […], →OCLC:
2
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences To transform from a gaseous state into a liquid state via condensation.
3
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences To be transformed from a gaseous state into a liquid state.
Water condenses on the window on cold days because of the warm air inside.
The huge condense bodies of planets.1692, Richard Bentley, [A Confutation of Atheism] (please specify the sermon), London: [Thomas Parkhurst; Henry Mortlock], published 1692–1693: