compatible

[kuh m-pat-uh-buh l] /kəmˈpæt ə bəl/
adjective
1.
capable of existing or living together in harmony:
the most compatible married couple I know.
2.
able to exist together with something else:
Prejudice is not compatible with true religion.
3.
consistent; congruous (often followed by with):
His claims are not compatible with the facts.
4.
Computers.
  1. (of software) capable of being run on another computer without change.
  2. (of hardware) capable of being connected to another device without the use of special equipment or software.
5.
Electronics. (of a device, signal, etc.) capable of being used with equipment in a system without the need for special modification or conversion.
6.
noting a system of television in which color broadcasts can be received on ordinary sets in black and white.
noun
7.
something, as a machine or piece of electronic equipment, that is designed to perform the same tasks as another, often in the same way and using virtually identical parts, programmed instructions, etc.:
Software written for one computer will probably run on its close compatibles.
Origin
1425-75; late Middle English < Medieval Latin compatibilis, derivative of Late Latin compatī (Latin com- com- + patī to suffer, undergo). See -ible
Related forms
compatibility, compatibleness, noun
compatibly, adverb
noncompatible, adjective
noncompatibly, adverb
noncompatibleness, noun
Examples from the web for compatible
  • All, separated from government, are compatible with liberty.
  • They should be philosophically compatible with the direction you will be taking your research.
  • Using plastic rather than silicon is also more compatible with manufacturing processes that use other plastics.
  • Softened by moisture, the pollen grain releases proteins that chemically discern whether the new plant is genetically compatible.
  • And he tried to explain how this was compatible with democracy.
  • And one of the reasons he found why it was compatible is that there are some controversies that are not justiciable.
  • Buildings may be various in function but must be compatible with one another in size and in their relation to the street.
  • Finding a compatible bone marrow match is difficult enough for many patients.
  • But all of this is quite compatible with of general deterministic framework.
  • The quantum signature might have enough similarities to be a compatible receptor for our request for informational transfer.
British Dictionary definitions for compatible

compatible

/kəmˈpætəbəl/
adjective
1.
(usually foll by with) able to exist together harmoniously
2.
(usually foll by with) consistent or congruous: her deeds were not compatible with her ideology
3.
(of plants)
  1. capable of forming successful grafts
  2. capable of successful self-fertilization See self-compatible, self-incompatible
4.
(of pieces of machinery, computer equipment, etc) capable of being used together without special modification or adaptation: a PC-compatible disc
Derived Forms
compatibility, compatibleness, noun
compatibly, adverb
Word Origin
C15: from Medieval Latin compatibilis, from Late Latin compatī to be in sympathy with; see compassion
Word Origin and History for compatible
adj.

mid-15c., from Middle French compatible (15c.), from Medieval Latin compatibilis, from Late Latin compati (see compassion). Related: Compatibility.

compatible in Medicine

compatible com·pat·i·ble (kəm-pāt'ə-bəl)
adj.

  1. Capable of existing or performing in harmonious or agreeable combination.

  2. Capable of being grafted, transfused, or transplanted from one individual to another without reaction or rejection.

  3. Capable of forming a chemically or biochemically stable system.

compatible in Technology
jargon
Different systems (e.g., programs, file formats, protocols, even programming languages) that can work together or exchange data are said to be compatible.
See also backward compatible, forward compatible.
(1998-01-15)