The word "compound" can refer to a couple of different things based on context. Generally, it means a substance formed by the chemical combination of two or more elements (like water, which is composed of hydrogen and oxygen). In a more general sense, "compound" can also refer to something that is made up of two or more parts or elements. Additionally, "compound" can be used as a verb meaning to make something worse by adding to it.
The word "compound" comes from the Latin word "componere," which means "to put together." The prefix "com-" means "together," and "ponere" means "to put."