(kom′pres″)
[Fr. fr. L. compressare, to squeeze together]
A cloth, wet or dry, folded and applied firmly to a body part.

cold compress

A soft, absorbent cloth, several layers thick, dipped in cold water, slightly wrung out, and applied to the part being treated. A cold compress helps reduce pain and swelling resulting from soft tissue injuries (such as sprains, strains, pulled muscles and ligaments), or orthopedic surgery.

hot compress

A soft, absorbent cloth folded into several layers, dipped in hot water 107° to 115°F (41.7° to 46.1°C), barely wrung out, and placed on the part to be treated. It is covered with a piece of cloth.

wet compress

Two or more folds of soft cloth wrung out of water at prescribed temperatures and covered with fabric.