- compound
- compound1noun 'kɒmpaʊnd a thing composed of two or more separate elements.↘a substance formed from two or more elements chemically united in fixed proportions.↘a word made up of two or more existing words.adjective 'kɒmpaʊnd made up of several elements.↘(of interest) payable on both capital and the accumulated interest. Compare with simple.↘Biology (of a leaf, flower, or eye) consisting of two or more simple parts or individuals in combination.verb kəm'paʊnd1》 make up (a composite whole); constitute.↘mix or combine (ingredients or constituents).↘reckon (interest) on previously accumulated interest.2》 make (something bad) worse.3》 Law forbear from prosecuting (a felony) in exchange for money or other consideration.↘settle (a debt or other matter) in this way.Derivativescompoundable adjectivecompounder nounOriginME compoune (v.), from OFr. compoun-, compondre, from L. componere 'put together'; the final -d was added on the pattern of expound.————————compound2 ['kɒmpaʊnd]noun a large open area enclosed by a fence, e.g. around a factory or within a prison.↘S. African an area containing single-sex living quarters for migrant workers, especially miners.↘another term for pound3.OriginC17: from Port. campon or Du. kampoeng, from Malay kampong 'enclosure, hamlet'; cf. kampong.
English new terms dictionary. 2014.