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1. Dictionary

   compound

   noun

   • 1. a thing that is composed of two or more separate elements; a mixture: "the air smelled like a compound of diesel and petrol fumes"
   • ▪ a substance formed from two or more elements chemically united in fixed proportions: "a compound of hydrogen and oxygen"
   • ▪ a word made up of two or more existing words.

   adjective

   • 1. made up or consisting of several parts or elements: "a compound noun"
   • ▪ (of interest) payable on both capital and the accumulated interest: "compound interest"
   • ▪ (especially of a leaf, flower, or eye) consisting of two or more simple parts or individuals in combination.

   verb

   • 1. make up (a composite whole); constitute: "a dialect compounded of Spanish and Dutch" Similar be composed ofbe made up ofbe constituted ofbe formed from
   • ▪ mix or combine (ingredients or constituents): "the groundnuts were compounded into cattle food" Similar mixcombineblendput togetheramalgamatealloyfusesynthesizecoalesceminglemeldinterminglerare:admixcommixcommingle
   • ▪ reckon (interest) on previously accumulated interest: "the yield at which the interest is compounded"
   • 2. make (something bad) worse; intensify the negative aspects of: "prisoners' lack of contact with the outside world compounds their problems" Similar aggravateworsenmake worseadd toaugmentexacerbateintensifyheightenincreasemagnifyadd insult to injuryrub salt in the woundadd fuel to the fire/flamescomplicateOpposite alleviateimprove
   • 3. forbear from prosecuting (a felony) in exchange for money or other consideration.
   • ▪ settle (a debt or other matter) in exchange for money or other consideration: "he compounded the case with the defendant for a cash payment"

   Word Origin late Middle Englishcompoune (verb), from Old French compoun-, present tense stem of compondre, from Latin componere ‘put together’. The final -d was added in the 16th century on the pattern of expound and propound. compound1 (sense 2 of the verb) arose through a misinterpretation of the legal phrase compound a felony, which means ‘refrain from prosecuting a felony in exchange for money or other consideration’. This led to the use of compound in legal contexts to mean ‘make something bad worse’, which then became accepted in general usage.

   Derivatives

   • 1. compoundable adjective

   Scrabble Points: 15

   • C

     3

   • O

     1

   • M

     3

   • P

     3

   • O

     1

   • U

     1

   • N

     1

   • D

     2

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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › compoundCompound Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › compound

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   The meaning of COMPOUND is something formed by a union of elements or parts; especially : a distinct substance formed by chemical union of two or more ingredients in definite proportion by weight. How to use compound in a sentence.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishCOMPOUND | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   COMPOUND definition: 1. a chemical that combines two or more elements: 2. something consisting of two or more different…. Learn more.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › compoundCOMPOUND Definition & Meaning - Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › compound

   • Cached

   A substance consisting of atoms or ions of two or more different elements in definite proportions joined by chemical bonds into a molecule. The elements cannot be separated by physical means. Water, for example, is a compound having two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom per molecule.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › compoundCompound - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › compound

   A compound is either a mixture or two or more things, or a heavily guarded residence. In botany, a compound leaf consists of more than one part. In linguistics, a compound is a word that consists of two or more independent words.

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryCOMPOUND | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   chemistry specialized. a chemical that combines two or more elements: Salt is a compound of sodium and chlorine. Many fertilizers contain nitrogen compounds. formal. something consisting of two or more different parts: Then there was his manner, a curious compound of humor and severity. language specialized.

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishCOMPOUND definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   In grammar, a compound noun, adjective, or verb is one that is made up of two or more words, for example 'fire engine', 'bottle-green', and 'force-feed'. In grammar, a compound sentence is one that is made up of two or more main clauses. Compare complex, simple.

8. www.britannica.com › dictionary › compoundCompound Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

   www.britannica.com › dictionary › compound

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   COMPOUND meaning: 1 : something that is formed by combining two or more parts; 2 : a substance created when the atoms of two or more chemical elements join together

9. www.thefreedictionary.com › compoundCompound - definition of compound by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › compound

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   1. composed of two or more parts, elements, or ingredients: Soap is a compound substance. 2. having or involving two or more actions or functions: The mouth is a compound organ. 3. (of a word) a. consisting of two or more parts that are also words, as housetop, many-sided, playact, or upon.

10. www.yourdictionary.com › compoundCompound Definition & Meaning - YourDictionary

    www.yourdictionary.com › compound

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    Compound definition: To combine so as to form a whole; mix.

11. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishCOMPOUND | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary - Cambridge ...

    dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

    • Cached

    COMPOUND definition: 1. a substance that is a combination of two or more elements: 2. an area of land with a group of…. Learn more.