compose
//kəmˈpəʊz//
Forms
- present (v1)
- compose
- past (v2)
- composed
- past participle (v3)
- composed
- present participle
- composing
- 3rd person singular
- composes
Definitions
1.To make something by merging parts.
- The editor composed a historical journal from many individual letters.
2.To make up the whole; to constitute.
- A church is composed of its members.
- A few useful things […] compose their intellectual possessions.
3.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.
- It's difficult to compose without absolute silence.
- Nine numbered symphonies, including the Fifth, were composed by Beethoven.
4.To calm; to free from agitation.
- The defendant couldn't compose herself and was found in contempt.
- Try to compose your thoughts.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #3861
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English composen
From Old French composer (“to compose, compound, adjust, settle”)
From com- + poser, as an adaptation of Latin componere (“to put together, compose”)
From com- (“together”) + ponere (“to put, place”).