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Abstract
Aristotle, in De Interpretatione, only briefly suggests the distinction between compound nouns and nominal phrases. However, late ancient commentators provide more extensive analysis. My goal is to clarify their views, arguing that a common strategy among them is to demonstrate how compounds and nominal phrases contribute differently to the truth-conditions of declarative sentences. Nonetheless, I insist that the primary value of examining these commentators lies in avoiding certain anachronisms related to compounds. Specifically, Aristotle is not puzzled by the difference between compounds and nominal phrases in the way we might be today. Instead, he uses compounds as convenient linguistic items serving a theoretical role in an a fortiori argument, establishing fundamental linguistic principles: that words are basic units of signification and that compositional meaning is a prerequisite for truth-value.
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