Compound

Definition

Compound refers to something made up of two or more elements or parts that are combined to form a whole. In chemistry, it specifically refers to a substance formed from the combination of two or more chemical elements. The term can also be used as a verb meaning to mix or combine things, or to intensify or exacerbate a situation.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb
• Adjective

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation (Noun): /ˈkɒmˌpaʊnd/
• Respelling (Noun): KOM-pound
• IPA Pronunciation (Verb): /kəmˈpaʊnd/
• Respelling (Verb): kuhm-POWND

British English

• IPA Pronunciation (Noun): /ˈkɒm.paʊnd/
• Respelling (Noun): KOM-pound
• IPA Pronunciation (Verb): /kəmˈpaʊnd/
• Respelling (Verb): kuhm-POWND

Etymology

The word "compound" comes from the Latin word "componere," meaning "to put together." The term entered English in the late Middle Ages, initially referring to something formed by combining elements. The verb form also evolved to mean the act of mixing or intensifying, while the noun retained its meaning of something that is formed by a union of multiple parts.

Derivatives

• Compounder (noun)
• Compounding (verb/noun)
• Compounded (adjective/verb)
• Compoundedly (adverb)
• Compoundable (adjective)

Synonyms

• Mixture
• Blend
• Combination

Antonyms

• Element
• Separation
• Single

Usage

The word "compound" is frequently used in various contexts, such as chemistry, finance, and linguistics. As a noun, it refers to a mixture or a combination of elements, such as "water is a chemical compound of hydrogen and oxygen." As a verb, it means to combine or intensify, as in "His actions compounded the problem." In finance, "compound interest" refers to interest calculated on the initial principal and the accumulated interest.

Related Terms

• Mixture: A combination of two or more substances that are not chemically bonded.
• Blend: To mix different elements together.
• Element: A pure chemical substance consisting of one type of atom.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A substance formed from the combination of two or more elements: In chemistry, a compound is a substance made of atoms of different elements bonded together.
  • Example: "Water is a compound consisting of hydrogen and oxygen."
• A combination of multiple parts: Refers to anything that is made by putting different elements together.
  • Example: "The research paper was a compound of various theories."

Verb

• To mix or combine: Refers to the act of bringing together different elements or intensifying a situation.
  • Example: "The chemicals were compounded to create a new substance."
• To make worse or more intense: Refers to exacerbating an already existing problem or situation.
  • Example: "Her absence compounded the team's difficulties."

Adjective

• Made up of multiple elements: Describes something that consists of two or more components.
  • Example: "The compound structure of the building made it more resilient."