[U.S. Government Printing Office Style Manual]
[Chapter 7 - Compounding Examples]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
7.1. The following examples are based on the rules for compounding
found in chapter 6. Obviously, this list or any other list of
compound words could not possibly be a complete reference due
to sheer volume. However, an analogy of the words listed with
like prefixes and suffixes together with an application of the
rules will result in easier handling of those compound words
not listed.
7.2. In order to keep the list from becoming cumbersome, certain
restrictions had to be adopted.
7.3. The listing of hyphenated compounds ending in ed was kept to a
minimum. The rationale was to provide one or two examples under
a keyword rather than needless repetition.
7.4. Similarly, many two-word forms which create no difficulty were
omitted.
7.5. Care was exercised to achieve fuller coverage of solid
compounds, particularly when the adopted form is different than
that of Webster's Third New International Dictionary. This
dictionary is GPO's guide for spelling with the exception of
those words listed in rule 5.2. It is not GPO's guide to
compounding.
7.6. A distinction exists between words used in a literal sense and
a non-literal sense. With few exceptions, one-word forms usually
express a nonliteral interpretation, while two-word forms
invariably convey a literal meaning. For example, a person may
have an interesting sideline or hobby, but be forced to sit on
the side line during periods of inactivity.
7.7. Distinction should also be made in the compounding of two words
to form an adjective modifier and the use of the same words as
a predicate adjective; e.g., ``crystal-clear water,'' but ``the
water is crystal clear''; ``fire-tested material,'' but ``the
material is fire tested.''
7.8. Caution should be exercised when distinguishing whether a
succession of words is being used as a compound or whether they
simply appear together. Consider, for example, ``We know
someone should do it and who that some one ought to be.''
7.9. For better appearance, it may sometimes be necessary to treat
alike words that would have different forms when they appear
separately; e.g., bumblebee and queen bee, farmhand and ranch
hand. In juxtaposition, these and similar words should be made
uniform by being printed as two words. This is only a temporary
expedient and does not supersede the list.
7.10. Combining forms and prefixes are usually printed solid. For
greater readability, the hyphen is sometimes used to avoid
doubling a vowel (anti-infl ation, naso-orbital); to facilitate
a normally capitalized word (mid-April, non-European); to
assure distinct pronunciation of each element of a compound or
ready comprehension of intended meaning (contra-ion, un-
ionized); or to join a combining form or prefi x to a
hyphenated compound (equi-gram-molar, pro-mother-in-law).
7.11. As nouns and adjectives, holdup, calldown, layout, makeup, and
similar words should be printed solid. Their er derivatives,
(holderup, caller-down, layer-out, and maker-up) require
hyphens. Such compounds as run-in, run-on, and tie-in resist
quick comprehension when solid. They are therefore hyphenated.
7.12. Words spelled alike but pronounced differently, such as tear-
dimmed and tearsheet, wind tunnel and windup, are listed under
the same keyword.
7.13. Words printed flush in the following list combine with the
words which follow to indicate solid or hyphenated compounds. A
space-mark (#) appearing before an indented entry indicates a
two-word form, but two-word forms appearing in the adjective
position usually take a hyphen.
7.14. To indicate word function, several abbreviations have been
appended. They are: adv., adverb; n., noun; v., verb; u.m.,
unit modifier; pref., prefi x; c.f., combining form; and conj.,
conjunction.
[GRAPHIC(S) OMITTED IN TIFF FORMAT]