3 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Compose \Com*pose"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Composed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Composing}.] [F. composer; com- + poser to place. The
sense is that of L. componere, but the origin is different.
See {Pose}, v. t.]
1. To form by putting together two or more things or parts;
to put together; to make up; to fashion.
Zeal ought to be composed of the highest degrees of
all pious affection. --Bp. Sprat.
2. To form the substance of, or part of the substance of; to
constitute.
Their borrowed gold composed The calf in Oreb.
--Milton.
A few useful things . . . compose their intellectual
possessions. --I. Watts.
3. To construct by mental labor; to design and execute, or
put together, in a manner involving the adaptation of
forms of expression to ideas, or to the laws of harmony or
proportion; as, to compose a sentence, a sermon, a
symphony, or a picture.
Let me compose Something in verse as well as prose.
--Pope.
The genius that composed such works as the
``Standard'' and ``Last Supper''. --B. R.
Haydon.
4. To dispose in proper form; to reduce to order; to put in
proper state or condition; to adjust; to regulate.
In a peaceful grave my corpse compose. --Dryden.
How in safety best we may Compose our present evils.
--Milton.
5. To free from agitation or disturbance; to tranquilize; to
soothe; to calm; to quiet.
Compose thy mind; Nor frauds are here contrived, nor
force designed. --Dryden.
6. (Print.) To arrange (types) in a composing stick in order
for printing; to set (type).
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Compose \Com*pose"\, v. i.
To come to terms. [Obs.] --Shak.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
compose
v 1: form the substance of; "Greed and ambition composed his
personality"
2: write music; "Beethoven composed nine symphonies" [syn: {write}]
3: produce a literary work; "She composed a poem"; "He wrote
four novels" [syn: {write}, {pen}, {indite}]
4: put together out of existing material; "compile a list"
[syn: {compile}]
5: calm (someone, especially oneself); make quiet; "She had to
compose herself before she could reply to this terrible
insult"
6: draw up the plans or basic details for; "frame a policy"
[syn: {frame}, {draw up}]