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Glite Dictionary
compound number

compound number

5.3
An amount shown using two or more different units, like one hour and ten minutes
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : número compuesto
  • The recipe called for a compound number of one pound and eight ounces of flour.

Examples

  • Tim calculated his commute as a compound number—forty minutes and fifteen seconds.

  • Ancient measurements often used a compound number, like two yards and one foot.

  • A compound number can be confusing in calculations.

  • What is a compound number?

  • The recipe called for a compound number of one pound and eight ounces of flour.

  • Ancient measurements often used a compound number, like two yards and one foot.

  • Tim calculated his commute as a compound number—forty minutes and fifteen seconds.

Surface Forms

compound number singular
compound numbers plural

Morphology

compound + number

The meaning 'a number expressed using two or more different units' is directly derivable from combining 'compound' (composed of several parts) with 'number' (a quantity). This is a literal, compositional combination following regular English noun formation patterns and is likely inferable by a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

The noun compound number comes from the simple image of two numbers joined together, like one hour and ten minutes. That's why it means 'a number or quantity expressed using two or more different units'.