Decompound

/ˌdiːkəmˈpaʊnd/ verb

Definition

To separate something that is compounded or mixed together back into its original simpler components.

Etymology

From de- + compound (made of multiple parts). Compound comes from Latin componere. This verb means to reverse the process of compounding by taking apart a mixture.

Kelly Says

In chemistry, decompounding is how scientists figured out what things are made of—they take complex substances and break them down to discover the basic elements underneath.

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