compound

compound definition - medical

com·pound (kŏmˈpoundˌ)

noun
  1. A combination of two or more elements or parts.
  2. A pure, macroscopically homogeneous substance that consists of atoms or ions of different elements in definite proportions that cannot be separated by physical means, and that have properties unlike those of its constituent elements.
adjective (kŏmˈpoundˌ, kŏm-poundˈ, kəm-)
Consisting of two or more substances, ingredients, elements, or parts.
verb (kŏm-poundˈ, kəm-, kŏmˈpoundˌ)
  1. To combine so as to form a whole; mix.
  2. To produce or create by combining two or more ingredients or parts.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.
Related Discussions (2)
TopicRepliesLatest Post
Compound Predicates85 months ago
triple compound words148 months ago

Browse Forums