Compound Definition

kŏm-pound, kəm-, kŏmpound
compounded, compounding, compounds
verb
compounded, compounding, compounds
To mix or combine.
Webster's New World
To compromise with a creditor.
Webster's New World
To make by combining parts or elements.
Webster's New World
To settle by mutual agreement; specif., to settle (a debt) by a compromise payment of less than the total claim.
Webster's New World
To compute (interest) on the sum of the principal and the accumulated interest which has accrued at regular intervals.
Interest compounded semiannually.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
adjective
Made of two or more separate parts or elements.
Webster's New World
Composed of more than one part.
A compound pistil.
American Heritage

(music) An octave higher than originally (i.e. a compound major second is equivalent to a major ninth).

Wiktionary
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
noun
compounds
A thing formed by the mixture or combination of two or more parts or elements.
Webster's New World
A word composed of two or more base morphemes, whether hyphenated or not.
Webster's New World
A substance containing two or more elements chemically combined in fixed proportions.
Webster's New World
Webster's New World
An enclosed space with a building or group of buildings within it.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
idiom
compound a felony (<i>or</i> crime)
  • to agree, for a bribe or repayment, not to inform about or prosecute for a felony (or crime): it is an illegal act
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Compound

Noun

Singular:
compound
Plural:
compounds

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Compound

  • compound a felony (or crime)

Origin of Compound

  • From Middle English compounen, from Middle French componre, compondre (“to put together”), from Latin componere, from Latin com- (“together”) + ponere (“to put”).

    From Wiktionary

  • Alteration of Middle English compounen from Old French componre, compondre to put together from Latin compōnere component

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Possibly from Malay kampong, kampung (“group of buildings, village”), via Dutch or Portuguese .

    From Wiktionary

  • Alteration of Malay kampong village

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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compound