compose

Definitions

1. 1.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.
2. 2.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.
3. 3.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.
4. 4.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.
5. 5.(Print.) To arrange (types) in a composing stick in order for printing; to set (type).
6. 6.To come to terms. [Obs.] Shak.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "compose" mean?
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Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is compose.

• What is 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 called?
• What is 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 called?
• What is to arrange (types) in a composing stick in order for printing; to set (type) called?