In 4–6 compown-, compouning. The action of the vb. COMPOUND in its various senses. Committee for compounding (17th c.): see COMPOUND v. 15 b; compounding of felony: see ibid., 9.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., VIII. xvi. (1495), 323. Compownynge of contrary thynges is welle of corrupcion.
c. 1529. Wolsey, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., I. 103. II. 5. In the makyng and compownyng whereof.
1542. Boorde, Dyetary, xiii. (1870), 266. What they dyd gomble togyther without trewe compoundynge.
1601. Deacon & Walker (title), Dialogicall Discourses of Spirits and Divels … for the peacable compounding of the late strong Controversies.
1709. Swift, Adv. Relig., Wks. 1755, II. I. 99. Like a sort of compounding between virtue and vice.
1769. Blackstone, Comm., IV. x. 134. Compounding of felony … formerly was held to make a man an accessory: but is now punished only with fine and imprisonment.
a. 1845. Hood, Tale Trumpet, ix. Deaf to verbs, and all their compoundings.
