However, there are several concepts related to vocabulary that might be what you're thinking of:
1. Word Formation through Compounding:
* This refers to the process of creating new words by combining two or more existing words.
* Examples: "sunrise" (sun + rise), "headache" (head + ache), "keyboard" (key + board).
* Important to note: This is a specific type of word formation, not a broad category of vocabulary.
2. Compound Words:
* These are words that are formed by joining two or more words.
* Examples: "toothbrush," "raincoat," "snowman."
* Important to note: Compound words are a result of compounding, and understanding them is a part of vocabulary development.
3. Vocabulary Growth and Compounding:
* When people learn new vocabulary, they often encounter compound words.
* Understanding the meaning of the individual words in a compound can help someone decipher the meaning of the entire compound.
* For example, knowing the meanings of "sun" and "rise" can help understand "sunrise."
4. "Compounding" as a Metaphor:
* It's possible the term is being used metaphorically.
* For example, someone might say they are "compounding their vocabulary" to emphasize the idea of continuously expanding their knowledge of words.
In summary:
The phrase "compounding vocabulary" is likely not a standard term. However, it probably refers to the process of learning and understanding compound words as part of vocabulary development.