compound Definition

compound¹
noun

1. chem.
A substance composed of two or more elements combined in fixed proportions and held together by chemical bonds.
Form: chemical compound (in full)
2. Something composed of two or more ingredients or parts.

Thesaurus: medley, composite, synthesis, conglomerate, fusion, alloy, pastiche, mélange.
3. A word made up of two or more words, eg tablecloth. Compare derivative (noun 2).

adj

1. Composed of a number of parts or ingredients.

Thesaurus: composite, synthesized, intermingled.
2. grammar.
Said of a sentence: made up of two or more main clauses.

verb compounded, compounding

1a. To make (especially something bad) much worse;

Thesaurus: complicate, intensify, confound, confuse.
1b. To complicate or add to (a difficulty, error, etc).
2a. To mix or combine (ingredients);

Thesaurus: combine, blend, mix, coalesce, join, unite.
2b. To make up (a mixture, etc) by doing this.
3. law.
To agree to overlook (an offence, etc) in return for payment.
tr & intr
4a. To come to an agreement with them, especially a financial one;

Form: compound with someone (often)
tr & intr
4b. To settle (a debt, etc) for less than the amount which is owed.

Form: compound with someone (often)

Etymology: 14c: from French compondre, from Latin componere to put together.

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compound²
noun

1. In China, India, etc: an area enclosed by a wall or fence, containing a house or factory.
2a. An enclosed area in a prison, used for a particular purpose;
2b. A similar area in a concentration camp, prisoner-of-war camp, etc.
3. In S Africa: accommodation in which Black labourers are housed.

Etymology: 17c: probably from Malay kampong village.