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

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
better
uncomplicate
make easy
unmix
separate
divide

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:

Antonyms:
simple

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

Kampong.

Webster's New World

An enclosed space with a building or group of buildings within it.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
element

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