My (smart aleck) son recently told me, “Dad, important<\/em> is a compound word.”<\/p>\n “No, it’s not,” I replied.<\/p>\n “But it is though: \u00a0import…ant<\/em>.”<\/p>\n I told him that, although import<\/em> and ant<\/em> are both words unto themselves, important<\/em> is not a compound word. \u00a0My reasoning: \u00a0a compound word’s meaning combines the meanings of the words it contains. \u00a0That’s why something<\/em> is a compound word: it means some<\/em> thing. \u00a0Overpass<\/em> is another example.<\/p>\n Important is not a compound word, I continued, because import<\/em> ant<\/em> is meaningless – unless, perhaps, you’re in the business of ant importation. \u00a0Even then, its meaning isn’t the same as important. \u00a0<\/em>A true compound word has the same meaning even if the words are said separately. \u00a0That’s my definition.<\/p>\n I sought back-up for my definition in three dictionaries. \u00a0Those that commented at all, tended to side more with my son: \u00a0that a compound word simply is made from two standalone words.<\/p>\n This fun little post has opened up a few great topics. I’ll be happy to continue them in future posts:)<\/p>\n