6 ADJ [ADJ n] In grammar, a compound sentence is one that is made up of two or more main clauses. Compare complex , simple .
7 VERB To compound a problem, difficulty, or mistake means to make it worse by adding to it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Additional bloodshed and loss of life will only compound the tragedy. □ [be V -ed + by ] The problem is compounded by the medical system here.
com|pound|ed /kəmpaʊ nd I d/ ADJ If something is compounded of different things, it is a mixture of those things. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …an emotion oddly compounded of pleasure and bitterness.
co m|pound fra c|ture (compound fractures ) N‑COUNT A compound fracture is a fracture in which the broken bone sticks through the skin.
co m|pound i n|ter|est N‑UNCOUNT Compound interest is interest that is calculated both on an original sum of money and on interest which has previously been added to the sum. Compare simple interest . [BUSINESS ]
com|pre|hend /kɒ mpr I he nd/ (comprehends , comprehending , comprehended ) VERB If you cannot comprehend something, you cannot understand it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] I just cannot comprehend your attitude. □ [V ] Whenever she failed to comprehend she invariably laughed.
com|pre|hen|sible /kɒ mpr I he ns I b ə l/ ADJ Something that is comprehensible can be understood. [FORMAL ] □ He spoke abruptly, in barely comprehensible Arabic.
com|pre|hen|sion /kɒ mpr I he nʃ ə n/ (comprehensions )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Comprehension is the ability to understand something. [FORMAL ] □ This was utterly beyond her comprehension.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Comprehension is full knowledge and understanding of the meaning of something. [FORMAL ] □ They had the same expression of dawning comprehension, surprise, and relief.
3 N‑VAR When pupils do comprehension , they do an exercise to find out how well they understand a piece of spoken or written language.
com|pre|hen|sive ◆◇◇ /kɒ mpr I he ns I v/ (comprehensives )
1 ADJ Something that is comprehensive includes everything that is needed or relevant. □ The Rough Guide to Nepal is a comprehensive guide to the region.
2 N‑COUNT In Britain, a comprehensive is a state school in which children of all abilities are taught together. □ …Birmingham's inner-city comprehensives. □ She taught French at Cheam Comprehensive in South London. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Comprehensive is also an adjective. □ He left comprehensive school at the age of 16. SYNONYMS comprehensive ADJ 1
thorough: This very thorough survey goes back to 1784.
fulclass="underline" Full details will be sent to you once your application is accepted.
complete: The list may not be complete.
wide: The brochure offers a wide choice of hotels, apartments and holiday homes.
extensive: The facilities available are very extensive.
com|pre|hen|sive|ly /kɒ mpr I he ns I vli/ ADV [usu ADV with v] Something that is done comprehensively is done thoroughly. □ England were comprehensively beaten by South Africa.
com|press (compresses , compressing , compressed ) The verb is pronounced /kəmpre s/. The noun is pronounced /kɒ mpres/. 1 VERB When you compress something or when it compresses , it is pressed or squeezed so that it takes up less space. □ [V n] Poor posture, sitting or walking slouched over, compresses the body's organs. □ [V ] Air will compress but the brake fluid won't. ● com|pres|sion /kəmpre ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The compression of the wood is easily achieved.
2 VERB If you compress something such as a piece of writing or a description, you make it shorter. □ [V -ed] All those three books are compacted and compressed into one book.
3 VERB [usu passive] If an event is compressed into a short space of time, it is given less time to happen than normal or previously. □ [be V -ed + into ] The four debates will be compressed into an unprecedentedly short eight-day period. □ [be V -ed] Some courses such as engineering had to be compressed.
4 N‑COUNT A compress is a pad of wet or dry cloth pressed on part of a patient's body to reduce fever. □ Sore throats may be relieved by cold compresses.
com|pressed /kəmpre st/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Compressed air or gas is squeezed into a small space or container and is therefore at a higher pressure than normal. It is used especially as a source of power for machines.
com|pres|sor /kəmpre sə r / (compressors ) N‑COUNT A compressor is a machine or part of a machine that squeezes gas or air and makes it take up less space.
com|prise /kəmpra I z/ (comprises , comprising , comprised )
1 VERB If you say that something comprises or is comprised of a number of things or people, you mean it has them as its parts or members. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] MCC's main committee comprises 18 members. □ [be V -ed + of ] The task force is comprised of congressional leaders and cabinet heads. □ [V -ed] A crowd comprised of the wives and children of scientists staged a demonstration.
2 VERB The things or people that comprise something are the parts or members that form it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Women comprise 44% of hospital medical staff.
com|pro|mise ◆◇◇ /kɒ mprəma I z/ (compromises , compromising , compromised )
1 N‑VAR A compromise is a situation in which people accept something slightly different from what they really want, because of circumstances or because they are considering the wishes of other people. □ [+ between ] Encourage your child to reach a compromise between what he wants and what you want. □ The government's policy of compromise is not universally popular.