- 1
To make something by merging parts.transitive
- The editor composed a historical journal from many individual letters.
- December 22 1678, Thomas Sprat, A Sermon Preached before the King at White-Hall Zeal ought to be composed of the highest degrees of all pious affection.
- 2
To make up the whole; to constitute.transitive
- A church is composed of its members.
- 3
To comprise.nonstandardtransitive
- 4
To construct by mental labor; to think up; particularly, to produce or create a literary or musical work.intransitivetransitive
- The orator composed his speech over the week prior.
- Nine numbered symphonies, including the Fifth, were composed by Beethoven.
- 5
To calm; to free from agitation.reflexivesometimes
- Try to compose your thoughts.
- The defendant couldn't compose herself and was found in contempt.
- 6
To arrange the elements of a photograph or other picture.
- 7
To settle (an argument, dispute etc.); to come to a settlement.
- By trying his best to compose matters with the mullahs, he had sincerely shown that he did not seek a violent collision […]
- 8
To arrange in proper form; to reduce to order; to put in proper state or condition.
- In a peaceful grave my corpse compose.
- How in safety best we may / Compose our present evils.
- 9
To arrange (types) in a composing stick for printing; to typeset.dated
syn. form · indite · compose · compound · comprise · make up · represent · upmake