I. (ˈ)dē+ noun
Etymology: de- + compound, n.; approximate translation of Late Latin decompositus derived from a compound word
: any compound that has a compound as one of its parts ; specifically : a word that has a compound as one of its immediate constituents (as newspaperman, railroader )
II. (|)dē+ transitive verb
Etymology: in sense 1, from decompound (I) ; in sense 2, from de- + compound, v.
1. obsolete : to compound further : compound or mix with a compound
2. : to reduce in constituent parts : decompose
III. adjective
Etymology: decompound (I)
1. : compounded of what is already compound : compounded again
2. of a leaf : having divisions that are themselves compound