compound

== English == === Etymology 1 === Possibly from Malay kampong, kampung (“group of buildings, village”), via Dutch or Portuguese, altered under the influence of Etymology 2. Doublet of kampung. ==== Pronunciation ==== (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈkɒmpaʊnd/ (General American, dialects of Canada) enPR: kŏm'pound, IPA(key): /ˈkɑmpaʊnd/ (Canada, dialects of the US) IPA(key): /ˈkɒmpaʊnd/ (Australia) IPA(key): /ˈkɔmpæɔnd/ (New Zealand) IPA(key): /ˈkɒmpæʊnd/ (Philippines) IPA(key): /kəmˈpaʊnd/, /komˈpaʊnd/ ==== Noun ==== compound (plural compounds) An enclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined. Synonyms: gaol, jail, pen, pound, prison; see also Thesaurus:prison An enclosure for secure storage. A group of buildings situated close together, e.g. for a school or block of offices. (by extension, Philippines) A group of buildings where members of the same extended family live together. ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === From Middle English compounen, from Middle French componre, compondre (“to put together”), from Latin componō, from Latin com- (“together”) + ponō (“to put”). ==== Pronunciation 1 ==== enPR: kŏm'pound (UK) IPA(key): /ˈkɒmpaʊnd/ (US, Canada) IPA(key): /ˈkɑmpaʊnd/ (Philippines) IPA(key): /kəmˈpaʊnd/, /komˈpaʊnd/ Rhymes: -aʊnd ===== Adjective ===== compound (not comparable) Composed of elements; not simple. Synonym: composite Antonym: simple a compound word (mathematics) Dealing with numbers of various denominations of quantity, or with processes more complex than the simple process. compound addition compound proportion (music) An octave higher than originally (i.e. a compound major second is equivalent to a major ninth). ====== Derived terms ====== ====== Translations ====== ===== Noun ===== compound (plural compounds) Anything made by combining several things. Synonyms: amalgam, blend, combination, composite, mix, mixture (chemistry) A substance formed by chemical bonding of two or more elements in definite proportions by weight. Coordinate terms: substance, element, mixture, composite (chemistry, dated) A substance made from any combination of ingredients. (law) A legal procedure whereby a criminal or delinquent avoids prosecution in a court in exchange for his payment to the authorities of a financial penalty or fine. Hyponyms: closed compound, open compound (linguistics) A lexeme that consists of more than one stem. Synonym: compound word (linguistics) A lexeme that consists of more than one stem or affix, e.g. "bookshop", "high school" or "non-standard". 1989, OED2: In the majority of the compounds of non- the hyphen is usually retained; but it is commonly omitted in the case of a few, such as nonconformist, nonentity, nonsense, in which the etymology has been to some extent lost sight of. (rail transport) A compound locomotive, a steam locomotive with both high-pressure and low-pressure cylinders. Ellipsis of compound exercise. ====== Derived terms ====== ====== Translations ====== ==== Pronunciation 2 ==== enPR: kəmpound' (UK, US, Canada, Philippines) IPA(key): /kəmˈpaʊnd/ Rhymes: -aʊnd ===== Verb ===== compound (third-person singular simple present compounds, present participle compounding, simple past and past participle compounded) (transitive) To form (a resulting mixture) by combining different elements, ingredients, or parts; to mingle with something else. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:mix (transitive, law) To settle by agreeing on less than the claim, or on different terms than those stipulated. Synonym: settle (transitive) To settle amicably; to adjust by agreement. Synonym: compromise (intransitive) To come to terms of agreement; to settle by a compromise. Synonyms: agree; see also Thesaurus:agree (transitive, obsolete) To compose; to constitute. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:compose (intransitive, finance) To increase in value with interest, where the interest is earned on both the principal sum and prior earned interest. (transitive, see usage notes) To worsen a situation. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:make matters worse (horse racing, intransitive) Of a horse: to fail to maintain speed. ====== Usage notes ====== The usage in sense 7 above, “to worsen a situation” is widespread but not wholly accepted. The original meaning of the word (see senses 2–4) implies resolution of a problem, not worsening. It has been suggested (Fraser 1973) that the reverse usage arose by confusion with phrases such as compound interest. ====== Derived terms ====== compoundable compounder compounding pharmacy recompound ====== Translations ====== === See also === Appendix:Compounds === References === === Further reading === Compound in the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition, 1911) Compound word, encyclopedia.com “compound”, in OneLook Dictionary Search. “compound”, in Merriam-Webster.com Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present. “compound”, in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th edition, Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016, →ISBN. “compound”, in Collins English Dictionary, 2011–present. “compound” (US) / “compound” (UK) in Macmillan English Dictionary. compound in Britannica Dictionary Compounds, dictionary.cambridge.org 6. Compounding Rules, govinfo.gov How do you decide whether a compound should be written as one word, separate words, or hyphenated words?, merriam-webster.com A Comprehensive Guide to Forming Compounds, merriam-webster.com English Language > Composition, britannica.com