An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1a) General: Consisting of two or more separate substances, ingredients, elements, or parts. A compound usually constitutes a new and independent entity with regard to its components. → composite, → combination.

1b) Chemistry: A substance whose molecules are made up of at least two different elements.

1c) Linguistics: A word consisting of two or more independent elements such as sunflower, eyeball, football.

2a) To combine so as to form a whole; mix.

2b) To produce or create by combining two or more ingredients or parts; compose or make up.

Etymology (EN): M.E. compouned, p.p. of compounen, M.Fr. compon-, stem of compondre, from L. componere, → compose.

Etymology (PE): Hamnât, literally “placed together,” from ham- “together,” → com-, + nât “placed, put,” variant of nâd, nâde, from Lori nâdan “to place, put” (Tabari da-nâyan “to place, put”), variant of nehâdan “to place, put,” → compose.