It also mistakes the participle _compounded_ for the adjective _compound_; whereas the latter only is the true reverse of _simple_.

A _compound sound_ is a sound composed of others which may be separated; a _sound compounded_ is properly that which is made an ingredient with others, but which may itself be simple.
16.

It is observable, that in their attempts to explain these prime elements of grammar, Murray, and many others who have copied him, overlook all _written_ language; whereas their very science itself took its origin, name, and nature, from the invention of writing; and has consequently no bearing upon any dialect which has not been written.

Their definitions absurdly resolve letters, vowels, consonants, syllables, and words, all into _sounds_; as if none of these things had any existence on paper, or any significance to those who read in silence.

Hence, their explanations of all these elements, as well as of many other things equally essential to the study, are palpably erroneous.