Compose
Pronunciation
- enPR: kÉ™m-pÅz', IPA: /kÉ™mˈpəʊz/
- Rhymes: -əʊz
Origin
From Old French composer ("to compose, compound, adjust, settle"), from Latin componere ("to put together, compose"), from com- ("together") + ponere ("to put, place")
Full definition of compose
Verb
- (transitive) To make something by merging parts. from later 15th c.The editor composed a historical journal from many individual letters.Try to compose your thoughts.
- Bishop SpratZeal ought to be composed of the highest degrees of all pious affection.
- (transitive) To make up the whole; to constitute.A church is composed of its members.
- I. WattsA few useful things ... compose their intellectual possessions.
- (transitive, nonstandard) To comprise.
- (transitive or intransitive) To construct by mental labor; to think up; particularly, to produce or create a literary or musical work.The orator composed his speech over the week prior.Nine numbered symphonies, including the Fifth, were composed by Beethoven.It's difficult to compose without absolute silence.
- Alexander PopeLet me compose
Something in verse as well as prose. - B. R. Haydonthe genius that composed such works as the "Standard" and "Last Supper"
- (sometimes reflexive) To calm; to free from agitation.The defendant couldn't compose herself and was found in contempt.
- DrydenCompose thy mind;
Nor frauds are here contrived, nor force designed. - To arrange the elements of a photograph or other picture.
- To settle (an argument, dispute etc.); to come to a settlement.
- 2010, Christopher Hitchens, Hitch-22, Atlantic 2011, p. 280:By trying his best to compose matters with the mullahs, he had sincerely shown that he did not seek a violent collision ...
- To arrange in proper form; to reduce to order; to put in proper state or condition.
- DrydenIn a peaceful grave my corpse compose.
- MiltonHow in safety best we may
Compose our present evils. - (printing, dated) To arrange (types) in a composing stick for printing; to typeset.