compose

com·pose

Use compose in a sentence

verb

The definition of compose means to combine, to put something in order or to write a piece of music.

An example of compose is form a flower arrangment from a combination of flowers, leaves and fruits.
An example of compose is to line up a group of pictures by the date the picture was taken.
An example of compose is to write a song.

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"compose." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 17 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/compose>.

APA Style

compose. (n.d.). Retrieved December 17th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/compose

compose

transitive verb

-·posed′, -·pos′ing

to form in combination; make up; constitute: mortar is composed of lime, sand, and water
to put together; put in proper order or form
to create (a musical or literary work)
to adjust or settle; reconcile: to compose differences
to put (oneself, one's mind, etc.) in a state of tranquillity or repose; calm
Printing
1. to set (type)
2. to produce (printed matter) as by computer, photocomposition, etc.

Origin of compose

Middle English composen from Old French composer from com-, with + poser, to place; meaning influenced, influence by Classical Latin componere: see composite

to create musical or literary works
Printing to set type

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MLA Style

"compose." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 17 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/compose>.

APA Style

compose. (n.d.). Retrieved December 17th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/compose

compose

verb

com·posed, com·pos·ing, com·pos·es

verb

transitive

To make up the constituent parts of; constitute or form: an exhibit composed of French paintings; the many ethnic groups that compose our nation. See Usage Note at comprise.
To make or create by putting together parts or elements.
To create or produce (a literary or musical piece).
To make (oneself) calm or tranquil: Compose yourself and deal with the problems logically.
To settle or adjust; reconcile: They managed to compose their differences.
To arrange aesthetically or artistically.
Printing To arrange or set (type or matter to be printed).

verb

intransitive

To create a literary or musical piece.
Printing To set type.

Origin of compose

Middle English composen from Old French composer alteration ( influenced by poser to put, place ) of Latin compōnere ; see component .

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"compose." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 17 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/compose>.

APA Style

compose. (n.d.). Retrieved December 17th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/compose

Verb

(third-person singular simple present composes, present participle composing, simple past and past participle composed)

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.
To make up the whole; to constitute.
A church is composed of its members.
(nonstandard) To comprise.
(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.
(sometimes reflexive) To calm; to free from agitation.
The defendant couldn't compose herself and was found in contempt.
To arrange the elements of a photograph or other picture.
To settle (an argument, dispute etc.); to come to a settlement.
To arrange in proper form; to reduce to order; to put in proper state or condition.
(printing, dated) To arrange (types) in a composing stick for printing; to typeset.

Origin

From Old French composer (“to compose, compound, adjust, settle”), from Latin componere (“to put together, compose”), from com- (“together”) + ponere (“to put, place”)

See also: composé

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.