compound Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts
  2. noun (chemistry) a substance formed by chemical union of two or more elements or ingredients in definite proportion by weight
    chemical compound.
  3. noun an enclosure of residences and other building (especially in the Orient)
  4. verb make more intense, stronger, or more marked
    heighten; intensify; deepen.
    • The efforts were intensified", "Her rudeness intensified his dislike for her
    • Pot smokers claim it heightens their awareness
    • This event only deepened my convictions
  5. verb put or add together
    combine.
    • combine resources
  6. verb calculate principal and interest
  7. verb create by mixing or combining
  8. verb combine so as to form a whole; mix
    combine.
    • compound the ingredients
  9. adjective composed of more than one part
    • compound leaves are composed of several lobes
    • compound flower heads
  10. adjective satellite consisting of two or more substances or ingredients or elements or parts
    • soap is a compound substance
    • housetop is a compound word
    • a blackberry is a compound fruit
  11. adjective satellite composed of many distinct individuals united to form a whole or colony
    colonial.
    • coral is a colonial organism

WordNet

Com"pound noun
Etymology
Malay kompund a village.
Definitions
  1. In the East Indies, an inclosure containing a house, outbuildings, etc.
Com*pound" transitive verb
Etymology
OE. componen, compounen, L. componere, compositum; com-+ ponere to put set. The d is excrescent. See Position, and cf. Componé.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Compounded; present participle & verbal noun Compounding
Definitions
  1. To form or make by combining different elements, ingredients, or parts; as, to compound a medicine.
    Incapacitating him from successfully compounding a tale of this sort. Sir W. Scott.
  2. To put together, as elements, ingredients, or parts, in order to form a whole; to combine, mix, or unite.
    We have the power of altering and compounding those images into all the varieties of picture. Addison.
  3. To modify or change by combination with some other thing or part; to mingle with something else.
    Only compound me with forgotten dust. Shak.
  4. To compose; to constitute. Obs.
    His pomp and all what state compounds. Shak.
  5. To settle amicably; to adjust by agreement; to compromise; to discharge from obligation upon terms different from those which were stipulated; as, to compound a debt.
    I pray, my lords, let me compound this strife. Shak.
Com*pound" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To effect a composition; to come to terms of agreement; to agree; to settle by a compromise; -- usually followed by with before the person participating, and for before the thing compounded or the consideration.
    Here's a fellow will help you to-morrow; . . . compound with him by the year. Shak.
    They were at last glad to compound for his bare commitment to the Tower. Clarendon.
    Cornwall compounded to furnish ten oxen after Michaelmas for thirty pounds. R. Carew.
    Compound for sins they are inclined to By damning those they have no mind to. Hudibras.
Com"pound adjective
Etymology
OE. compouned, p. p. of compounen. See Compound, v. t.
Definitions
  1. Composed of two or more elements, ingredients, parts; produced by the union of several ingredients, parts, or things; composite; as, a compound word.
    Compound substances are made up of two or more simple substances. I. Watts.
Com"pound noun
Definitions
  1. That which is compounded or formed by the union or mixture of elements ingredients, or parts; a combination of simples; a compound word; the result of composition. Shak.
    Rare compound of oddity, frolic, and fun. Goldsmith.
    When the word "bishopric" was first made, it was made as a compound. Earle.
  2. (Chem.) A union of two or more ingredients in definite proportions by weight, so combined as to form a distinct substance; as, water is a compound of oxygen and hydrogen. ✍ Every definite chemical compound always contains the same elements, united in the same proportions by weight, and with the same internal arrangement.

Webster 1913