compost

[ kom-pohst ]

/ ˈkɒm poʊst /

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See synonyms for: compost / composted / composting on Thesaurus.com

noun

a mixture of various decaying organic substances, as dead leaves or manure, used for fertilizing soil.

a composition; compound.

verb (used with object)

to use in compost; make compost of: to compost manure and kitchen scraps.

to apply compost to (soil).

verb (used without object)

to make compost: Shredded leaves will compost easily.

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Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?

First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.

First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.

First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.

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Origin of compost

1350–1400; Middle English <Anglo-French, Middle French <Latin compositum, noun use of neuter of composituscomposite; cf. compote

OTHER WORDS FROM compost

com·post·a·ble, adjectivecom·post·er, noun

Words nearby compost

composition of forces, composition series, compositor, compos mentis, compossible, compost, compostable, Compostela, composting toilet, composure, compotation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for compost

She’s been tracking the amount of carbon her farm retains if she adds compost and rarely tills the land.
Farmers Want to Create San Diego’s Carbon Dumps|MacKenzie Elmer|February 3, 2021|Voice of San Diego
City residents can pick up some free compost for their own gardens from Miramar Greenery.
Environment Report: Local Farms Want Your Table Scraps|MacKenzie Elmer|January 25, 2021|Voice of San Diego
A smaller farm like Solidarity can’t afford to both haul the compost from landfills and cover the cost to purchase different specialized equipment to turn it and spread it.
Environment Report: Local Farms Want Your Table Scraps|MacKenzie Elmer|January 25, 2021|Voice of San Diego
The team found 10 organisms — groups of five each from compost and soil — that survived together by breaking down the foam.
Here’s how to make flip-flops biodegradable|Kathiann Kowalski|December 8, 2020|Science News For Students

Then the team added a bit of material from either the soil or the compost.
Here’s how to make flip-flops biodegradable|Kathiann Kowalski|December 8, 2020|Science News For Students
I departed for the compost heap happy that I was almost done cleaning the chicken coop.
What Did TJ Mean By “Pursuit of Happiness,” Anyway?|P. J. O’Rourke|June 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In those parts, garbage must be separated from food compost as well as the usual recycling categories.
‘Portlandia’: Carrie Brownstein on Season 2 and Its Success|Tricia Romano|January 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Figuring out whether to throw out your lipstick-stained coffee cup in recycling, trash, or compost can be truly maddening.
‘Portlandia’: Carrie Brownstein on Season 2 and Its Success|Tricia Romano|January 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It is likewise formed daring the decay of animal and vegetable matters, and is consequently evolved from dung and compost heaps.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson
Rake up the leaves, and add everything of this kind to the compost heap.
Amateur Gardencraft|Eben E. Rexford
Why do we not then persuade husbandmen that they should not till land, help it with marl, lime, and compost?
Discoveries Made Upon Men and Matter|Ben Jonson
We cannot let our Lady Joan set forth for field with such a compost of mumpers and tun-barrels as these!
Joan of the Sword Hand|S(amuel) R(utherford) Crockett
It's the shell of a compost pit for the hotel that's goin' to be built around here.
Operation Terror|William Fitzgerald Jenkins

British Dictionary definitions for compost

compost

/ (ˈkɒmpɒst) /

noun

a mixture of organic residues such as decomposed vegetation, manure, etc, used as a fertilizer

a mixture, normally of plant remains, peat, charcoal, etc, in which plants are grown, esp in pots

rare a compound or mixture

verb (tr)

to make (vegetable matter) into compost

to fertilize with compost

Word Origin for compost

C14: from Old French compost, from Latin compositus put together; see composite

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

Scientific definitions for compost

compost

[ kŏm′pōst′ ]

A mixture of decayed or decaying organic matter used to fertilize soil. Compost is usually made by gathering plant material, such as leaves, grass clippings, and vegetable peels, into a pile or bin and letting it decompose as a result of the action of aerobic bacteria, fungi, and other organisms.

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