compound

Etymology 1

Possibly from Malay kampong, kampung (“group of buildings, village”), via Dutch or Portuguese, altered under the influence of Etymology 2. Doublet of kampung.

noun

1. An enclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined.
2. An enclosure for secure storage.
   A total of 75 cycle spaces are being installed at three Greater Anglia stations - …. And a secure compound for bicycles is being built at Cambridge North. December 2 2020, “Network News: News in brief: More cycle spaces”, in Rail, page 27
3. A group of buildings situated close together, e.g. for a school or block of offices.
   Shepard: What kind of proof do you have that the major is dangerous? Transmission: Three days ago, we sent two Alliance representatives to meet with him at his compound. They have disappeared. We believe Kyle and his followers killed them. Transmission: That compound is a cult, Shepard. They call him 'Father Kyle' now. He's set himself up as some kind of religious leader. 2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Normandy SR-1
   Some 20 supporters managed to get inside the court compounds. About half an hour after the verdict was delivered, they gathered near the Constitutional Court entrance and shouted: "On March 24, use your pen to oust the dictator." 2019-03-07, Yuda Masayuki, “Thai court: pro-Thaksin party must disband for nominating princess”, in Nikkei Asian Review, Nikkei Inc, retrieved 2019-03-07

Etymology 2

From Middle English compounen, from Middle French componre, compondre (“to put together”), from Latin componō, from Latin com- (“together”) + ponō (“to put”).

adj

1. Composed of elements; not simple.
   a compound word
2. (mathematics) Dealing with numbers of various denominations of quantity, or with processes more complex than the simple process.
   compound addition
   compound proportion
3. (music) An octave higher than originally (i.e. a compound major second is equivalent to a major ninth).

noun

1. Anything made by combining several things.
2. (chemistry) A substance formed by chemical bonding of two or more elements in definite proportions by weight.
3. (chemistry, dated) A substance made from any combination of ingredients.
4. (linguistics) A lexeme that consists of more than one stem.
5. (law) A legal procedure whereby a criminal or delinquent avoids prosecution in a court in exchange for his payment to the authorities of a financial penalty or fine.
   Compositionally there is no great distinction between cell wall and cell surface, both are relatively transparent compounds, but both parts of the cell are of high significance in Biology due to their central role in cell functioning. 2018, Clarence Green, James Lambert, “Position vectors, homologous chromosomes and gamma rays: Promoting disciplinary literacy through Secondary Phrase Lists”, in English for Specific Purposes, →DOI, page 8
6. (linguistics) A lexeme that consists of more than one stem or an affix, e.g. bookshop, high school or non-standard.
   In the majority of the compounds of non- the hyphen is usually retained; but it is commonly omitted in the case of a few, such as nonconformist, nonentity, nonsense, in which the etymology has been to some extent lost sight of. 1989, OED2
7. (rail transport) A compound locomotive, a steam locomotive with both high-pressure and low-pressure cylinders.
   From a dead stand, with regulator full open and the lever at about 50 per cent we got up to about 60 m.p.h. by the top of the bank. The big compound was making plenty of noise - but what musical and wonderful noise! 1961 March, ""Balmore"", “Driving and firing modern French steam locomotives”, in Trains Illustrated, page 148
8. Short for compound exercise.

verb

1. (transitive) To form (a resulting mixture) by combining different elements, ingredients, or parts; to mingle with something else.
   to compound a medicine
2. (transitive, law) To settle by agreeing on less than the claim, or on different terms than those stipulated.
   to compound a debt
3. (transitive) To settle amicably; to adjust by agreement.
   No! no—if Charles has done nothing false or mean, I shall compound for his extravagance 1777, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for Scandal, II.iii
4. (intransitive) To come to terms of agreement; to settle by a compromise.
   to compound with someone / for something
5. (transitive, obsolete) To compose; to constitute.
6. (intransitive, finance) To increase in value with interest, where the interest is earned on both the principal sum and prior earned interest.
7. (transitive, see usage notes) To worsen a situation.
   […] This latest example of nationalistic self-interest compounded anger across the EU over Trump’s travel ban, imposed last month without consultation or scientific justification. 2020-04-12, Simon Tisdall, “US's global reputation hits rock-bottom over Trump's coronavirus response”, in The Guardian
8. (horse racing, intransitive) Of a horse: to fail to maintain speed.
   At the hill, the Warrior must have been at least ten lengths in front of Wild Dayrell; but he compounded about 200 yards on the T. Y. C. side of the Red House. 1855, The Sporting Review, volume 34, page 240