A compound modifier (also called a compound adjective or a phrasal adjective or adjectival phrase) is a compound of two or more attributive words: That is, more than one word that together modify a noun. Compound modifiers are grammatically equivalent to single-word modifiers, and can be used in conjunction with other modifiers.
The constituent words of compound modifiers need not be adjectives; combinations of nouns, determiners, and other parts of speech are also common (man-eating and one-way).
The punctuation of compound modifiers in English depends on their grammatical role. Attributive compounds – modifiers within the noun phrase – are typically hyphenated, whereas the same compound used as a predicate will typically not be.
Read more about Compound Modifier: Compound Adjectives, Hyphenation of Elements
Famous quotes containing the word compound:
“Work is a responsibility most adults assume, a burden at times, a complication, but also a challenge that, like children, requires enormous energy and that holds the potential for qualitative, as well as quantitative, rewards. Isn’t this the only constructive perspective for women who have no choice but to work? And isn’t it a more healthy attitude for women writhing with guilt because they choose to compound the challenges of motherhood with work they enjoy?”
—Melinda M. Marshall (20th century)