What is the distinction between the endocentric compoud and the exocentric compoud?

Answer 1

In an endocentric compound, one element is the head that determines the category of the compound, while the other element specifies the meaning more precisely (e.g., 'blackbird,' where 'bird' is the head). In an exocentric compound, the meaning does not rely on one element to determine the category, and the compound's meaning must be derived from outside the compound (e.g., 'pickpocket,' where the compound does not fit strictly into the category of either 'pick' or 'pocket').