decompound
/ˌdiːkəmˈpaʊnd/
verb
- To break down a compound into simpler parts or elements.
- It is difficult to decompound this mixture without using special equipment.
- Heat can decompound certain substances into their original elements.
- The chemist tried to decompound the complex molecule into its basic atoms.
Antonyms
adjective
- (of a leaf or other plant part) divided into many small parts or leaflets.
- A decompound leaf has leaflets that are themselves divided into smaller leaflets.
- The decompound leaves of the carrot plant look like delicate feathers.
- Botanists describe the fern's fronds as decompound because they are so finely divided.