Non-compound

Referring to a word, phrase, or substance that is not formed by the combination of two or more independent elements. In linguistics, this applies to words that are not derived from other words (e.g., 'cat' is non-compound) or that cannot be segmented into meaningful units (e.g., 'about'). In chemistry, it signifies a substance that does not consist of two or more different elements chemically combined. A non-compound entity exists as a single, indivisible unit at the relevant level of analysis.

Non-compound meaning with examples

• The word 'sun' is considered non-compound as it isn't formed from combining two words, unlike 'sunflower'. Its meaning is also not dependent on further breakdown, making it a simple and foundational lexical unit in the English language. It's used daily and readily understood by a broad audience.
• Sodium, as a chemical element, exists as a non-compound. It is a single element found in the periodic table and cannot be broken down into simpler substances through chemical means. This element is a metal, important for bodily functions and used in various industrial processes.
• In early childhood education, children learn non-compound words like 'dog' and 'ball' before moving on to more complex constructions like 'doghouse' or 'basketball'. These singular words introduce basic vocabulary and are vital for early literacy development and reading comprehension.
• A physicist might describe a fundamental particle, like an electron, as non-compound. Such particles are considered indivisible and not composed of smaller constituents (as far as our current understanding is concerned) – they are the most basic building blocks of matter.
• The sentence 'She ran' is an example including entirely non-compound words. Each word contributes a distinct element to its meaning that is not derived from other words within the sentence. The words stand alone as units and have individual semantic significance.