Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COM-POUND', v.t. [L. compono; con and pono, to set or put; Sp. componer; It. comporre, for componere; Port. compor.]

1. To mix or unite two or more ingredients in one mass or body; as, to compound drugs. Whoever compoundeth any like it, shall be cut off from his people. – Ex. xxx.
2. To unite or combine. We have the power of altering and compounding images into all the varieties of picture. – Addison.
3. To compose; to constitute. [Not used.] – Shak.
4. In grammar, to unite two or more words; to form one word of two or more.
5. To settle amicably; to adjust by agreement; as a difference or controversy. – Bacon. Shak. [In this sense we now use compose.]
6. To pay by agreement; to discharge, as a debt, by paying a part, or giving an equivalent different from that stipulated or required; as, to compound debts. – Gay. But we now use, more generally, to compound with. [See the verb intransitive.] To compound felony, is for a person robbed to take the goods again, or other compensation, upon an agreement not to prosecute the thief or robber. This offense is, by the law of England, punishable by fine and imprisonment. – Blackstone.