com·pound¹ • n. / ˈkämˌpound/ a thing that is composed of two or more separate elements; a mixture. ∎  (also chemical compound) 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, such as steamship.• adj. / ˈkämˌpound; kämˈpound; kəmˈpound/ made up or consisting of several parts or elements, in particular: ∎  (of a word) made up of two or more existing words or elements: a compound noun. ∎  (of interest) payable on both capital and the accumulated interest: compound interest.Compare with simple. ∎  Biol. (esp. of a leaf, flower, or eye) consisting of two or more simple parts or individuals in combination.• v. / kəmˈpound; kämˈpound; ˈkämˌpound/ [tr.] 1. (often be compounded) make up (a composite whole); constitute: a dialect compounded of Spanish and Dutch. ∎  mix or combine (ingredients or constituents). ∎  calculate (interest) on previously accumulated interest. ∎  (of a sum of money invested) increase by compound interest: let your money compound for five years.2. make (something bad) worse; intensify the negative aspects of: I compounded the problem by trying to make wrong things right.3. Law forbear from prosecuting (a felony) in exchange for money or other consideration. ∎  settle (a debt or other matter) in this way.DERIVATIVES: com·pound·a·ble / kəmˈpoundəbəl; käm-/ adj.ORIGIN: late Middle English compoune (verb), from Old French compoun-, present tense stem of compondre, from Latin componere ‘put together.’ The final -d was added in the 16th cent. on the pattern of expound and propound.com·pound² / ˈkämˌpound/ • n. an area enclosed by a fence, in particular: ∎  an open area in which a factory or large house stands. ∎  an open area in a prison, prison camp, or work camp.

compound Substance formed by chemical combination of two or more elements that cannot be separated by physical means. Compounds are produced by the rearrangement of valency electrons (outer electrons of an atom) seeking more stable configurations. They usually have properties different from their constituent elements. Ionic compounds have ionic bonds – they are collections of oppositely charged ions. They have high melting and boiling points, due to the electrostatic forces of attraction holding their crystal lattice together. Covalent bonds occur where non-metal atoms share electrons. Such compounds can be classified as simple molecular structures, such as carbon dioxide, with low melting and boiling points; or giant molecular structures, such as graphite and diamond. Their properties depend on the arrangement of the atoms in the macromolecule. See also molecule; valence

compound 2 put together, combine, compose XIV; trans. and intr. settle differences, etc. XV. ME. compoune — OF. compo(u)n-, pres. stem of compondre :- L. compōnere put or bring together, arrange, devise; see COM-, POSITION. The orig. ME. form was superseded by the present form in XVI.

compound 3 in the East, enclosure within which a (European) residence or factory stands. XVII. — Pg. campon or Du. kampoeng — Malay kampong enclosure, fenced-in space, quarter occupied by a particular nationality.

Compound

a union; a chemical bonding of elements—Wilkes.

Example: compound of two liquids, 1710.