compose

[kuhm-pohz]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR compose ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), com·posed, com·pos·ing.

to make or form by combining things, parts, or elements: He composed his speech from many research notes.

to be or constitute a part or element of: a rich sauce composed of many ingredients.

to make up or form the basis of: Style composes the essence of good writing.

to put or dispose in proper form or order: to compose laws into a coherent system.

Art. to organize the parts or elements of (a picture or the like).

to create (a musical, literary, or choreographic work).

to end or settle (a quarrel, dispute, etc.): The union and management composed their differences.

to bring (oneself, one's mind, etc.) to a condition of calmness, repose, etc.; calm; quiet.

Printing.

to set (type).
to set type for (an article, book, etc.).

verb (used without object), com·posed, com·pos·ing.

to engage in composition, especially musical composition.

to enter into composition; fall into an arrangement: a scene that composes well.

Nearby words

Origin of compose

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Middle French word composer. See com-, pose¹

SYNONYMS FOR compose

8. settle, collect.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR compose ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formscom·pos·a·ble, adjectiveun·com·pos·a·ble, adjective

Can be confusedcompose comprise

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for compose

He then enlisted the help of New York City musician Carlo Nicolau to compose the music.
The Government Is Using Subliminal Songs To Scare Immigrants|Caitlin Dickson|July 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“One can no more write good English than one can compose good music by merely keeping to the rules,” he wrote.
Will Jargon Be the Death of the English Language?|The Telegraph|March 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But Google grumble grumble makes me compose new messages in a tiny window, you say.
Gmail Priority Inbox Freakout: Calm Down, Guys, Opting Out Is Easy|Winston Ross|July 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
After defense explained that it did not consider the document intelligence, Lind compose herself and let defense proceed.
Is Judge Denise Lind Bradley Manning’s Biggest Enemy?|Alexa O'Brien|July 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The charge was to compose a story on it—a story that would justifiably appear on a napkin.
Benjamin Percy: How I Write|Noah Charney|June 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The real objects of the League are as well known to the working classes as the characters of the men who compose it.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 71, No. 438, April 1852|Various
The servant tried to take him upstairs to lie down and compose himself.
Armadale|Wilkie Collins
At six he was able to compose without the aid of an instrument, and continued to advance rapidly in musical memory and knowledge.
Memory|William Walker Atkinson
When I compose a sermon, I imagine myself consulted upon some difficult piece of business.
Clergymen and Doctors|Anonymous
I would advise your trying to compose yourself at once; the others will be here soon, and will probably talk and make a row.
Ralph Wilton's weird|Mrs. Alexander

British Dictionary definitions for compose

compose

verb (mainly tr)

to put together or make up by combining; put in proper order

to be the component elements of

to produce or create (a musical or literary work)

(intr) to write music

to calm (someone, esp oneself); make quiet

to adjust or settle (a quarrel, etc)

to order the elements of (a painting, sculpture, etc); design

printing to set up (type)

Word Origin for compose

C15: from Old French composer, from Latin compōnere to put in place; see component

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for compose

compose

c.1400, compousen, from Old French composer "put together, arrange, write" a work (12c.), from com- "with" (see com-) + poser "to place," from Late Latin pausare "to cease, lay down," ultimately from Latin ponere "to put, place" (see position (n.)). Meaning influenced in Old French by componere (see composite). Musical sense is from 1590s. Related: Composed; composing.

compose

verb (used with object), com·posed, com·pos·ing.

verb (used without object), com·posed, com·pos·ing.

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Nearby words

Origin of compose

Examples from the Web for compose

compose

verb (mainly tr)

Word Origin for compose

compose