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computer
by adding to or increasing; EXACERBATE: Our difficulties were compounded by the language barrier. | to compound an error 2 [(from, of)] to make (a substance or quality) by combining parts: The medicine was compounded from several drugs. 3 [(into)] to combine (parts) to form a whole: He compounded the drugs into a medicine.
com·pound⁴ /'kɒmpaʊnd||'kɑːm-/ n an area enclosed by a wall, fence etc, containing a group of buildings: a factory/ prison compound
,compound 'fracture n med a break or crack in a bone which causes it to cut through the surrounding flesh, making an open wound → compare SIMPLE FRACTURE
,compound 'interest n [U] interest calculated both on the original sum of money lent or borrowed and on the unpaid interest already earned or charged → compare SIMPLE INTEREST
com·pre·hend /ˌkɒmprɪ'hend||ˌkɑːm-/ v [not in progressive forms] fml 1 [I;T] to understand: The child read the story but did not comprehend its full meaning. 2 [T] to include: The park comprehends all the land on the other side of the river.
com·pre·hen·si·ble /ˌkɒmprɪ'hensəbl||ˌkɑːm-/ adj [(to)] fml that can be understood: a long, scarcely comprehensible report written in official language | This document is comprehensible only to lawyers. → opposite INCOMPREHENSIBLE —bly adv —bility /ˌkɒmprɪhensə'bɪləti||ˌkɑːm-/ n [U]
com·pre·hen·sion /ˌkɒmprɪ'henʃn||ˌkɑːm-/ n [U(of)] fml the act of understanding or ability to understand: How he managed it is beyond my comprehension. (=I cannot understand it) | The teacher set the class a comprehension test. (=to test the students' ability to understand written or spoken language)
com·pre·hen·sive¹ /ˌkɒmprɪ'hensɪv||ˌkɑːm-/ adj 1 thorough; broad; including a lot or everything: a newspaper that provides comprehensive coverage of world affairs | a comprehensive knowledge of his subject | comprehensive insurance 2 [no comp.] BrE (of education) teaching pupils of all abilities in the same school: the controversy over comprehensive education in the sixties —ly adv
comprehensive² also ,compre'hensive school n (in Britain) a school for pupils over the age of 11 which teaches children of all abilities
CULTURAL NOTE The comprehensive system in Britain was started in 1965. Before that, children took an examination called the ELEVEN-PLUS at the age of eleven. If they passed it they went to a GRAMMAR SCHOOL and if they failed it they went to a SECONDARY MODERN school. The comprehensive system was introduced because people felt that it was unfair to separate children into different schools at the age of eleven. Most children in the UK now go to a comprehensive school near where they live, but there are still a small number of grammar schools left. Some parents try to send their children to grammar schools, believing that the standard of education is higher than in comprehensive schools. Since 1994, many comprehensive schools have become specialist schools, and now more than half of all comprehensives are specialist schools. This means that they provide the usual education that all children receive, but also offer very good quality instruction in certain areas, such as sport, PERFORMING ARTS, or the sciences. → see also PUBLIC SCHOOL
com·press¹ /kəm'pres/ v [T(into)] 1 to force (a substance) into less space; press together: compressed air 2 to put (thoughts, ideas etc) into fewer words: He compressed his report into three pages. —ible adj: a compressible gas —ion /'preʃn/ n [U] a compression chamber
com·press² /'kɒmpres||'kɑːm-/ n a small thick mass of cloth pressed to part of the body, especially to stop bleeding or swelling, reduce fever etc: She applied a cold compress to his sprained ankle.
com·pres·sor /kəm'presə/ n a part of a machine, for compressing gas or air
com·prise /kəm'praɪz/ v [not in progressive forms] 1 [L+n] to consist of (parts): The United Kingdom comprises England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. | a commission of inquiry comprising three eminent judges and three members of the public. 2 [T] (of parts) to form: Fifteen separate republics comprise the Soviet Union.
Compare comprise, compose, consist of, constitute, and include: The United Kingdom consists of/is composed of/comprises England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. (=these are all the parts that together form it) | England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland constitute/comprise (=together form) the United Kingdom. | The United Kingdom includes Northern Ireland and Wales. (=these are two of the parts that together form the United Kingdom, but there are others) Be comprised of is sometimes used in the sense of 'consists of': A chess set is comprised of 32 chessmen but some people consider this use to be incorrect.
com·pro·mise¹ /'kɒmprəmaɪz||'kɑːm-/ n [C;U(between)] (an act of) settling an argument or difference of opinion by each side agreeing to some of the demands of the other; an agreement reached in this way that is acceptable to both sides: Progress has been made towards a political compromise between the two nations. | He asked £1500 for his old car, but I thought it was only worth £1000. We finally reached/arrived at a compromise and I paid £1250. | Both sides are determined to get what they want, and there seems to be no possibility of compromise.
compromise² v 1 [(on)] to make a compromise: He asked more than I was willing to pay, so we compromised on a price. 2 [T] to put into a dishonourable position; bring shame to: They refused to compromise their principles by doing a deal with the terrorists. | The minister was compromised by his association with the prostitute.
com·pro·mis·ing /'kɒmprəmaɪzɪŋ||'kɑːm-/ adj [A] dishonourable and making you feel very ashamed: You have put me in a very compromising position. | She found some compromising photographs in his wallet.
comp·trol·ler /kən'trəʊlə, kæmp-/ n fml (an official title for) a CONTROLLER
com·pul·sion /kəm'pʌlʃn/ n 1 [U] force or influence that makes a person do something: [+to-v] You are under no compulsion to tell me, but it will be better for you if you do. → see also COMPEL 2 [C] a strong desire, usually an unreasonable one, that is difficult to control: [+to-v] She felt a sudden compulsion to hit him.
com·pul·sive /kəm'pʌlsɪv/ adj 1 resulting from a compulsion; very difficult to stop or control: a compulsive need to succeed | compulsive eating 2 suffering from one or more compulsions: a compulsive gambler —ly adv —ness n [U]
com,pulsive 'shopper a SHOPAHOLIC
com·pul·so·ry /kəm'pʌlsəri/ adj which must be done by law, by orders etc; OBLIGATORY: Education is compulsory for all children in Britain between the ages of 5 and 16. | a campaign to make the wearing of car seat belts compulsory → compare VOLUNTARY —rily adv
com·punc·tion /kəm'pʌŋkʃn/ n [U usually in questions and negatives] an awkward feeling of guilt that stops you doing something: She didn't have the slightest compunction about telling me a lie.
Com·pu·Serve /'kɒmpjuːsɜːv||'kɑːmpjuːsɜːrv/ trademark a large company providing the service of connecting customers to the Internet, owned by AOL. CompuServe also provides its own ONLINE services such as email, discussion groups, and business information.
com·pu·ta·tion /ˌkɒmpju'teɪʃn||ˌkɑːm-/ also computa·tions pl. —n [C;U] fml (the result of) calculating: According to my computation(s), the bank should pay me £100 interest.
com·pute /kəm'pjuːt/ v [I;T] fml to calculate (a result, answer, sum etc)
com·put·er /kəm'pjuːtə/ n an electronic machine that can be supplied with a PROGRAM (=plan of operations) and can store and recall information, and perform various processes on it: We use a computer to do our accounts. | a home/personal computer | the most up-to-date computer software | a new computer-controlled heating system | I sent the sample for computer analysis. → see also MAINFRAME, MICROCOMPUTER, MINICOMPUTER, PERSONAL COMPUTER, WORD PROCESSOR