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.