Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Compose?

\Com*pose"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Composed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Composing}.] [F. composer; com- + poser to place. The sense is that of L. componere, but the origin is different. See {Pose}, v. t.] 1. To form by putting together two or more things or parts; to put together; to make up; to fashion. Zeal ought to be composed of the highest degrees of all pious affection. --Bp. Sprat. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. (Print.) To arrange (types) in a composing stick in order for printing; to set (type).
\Com*pose"\, v. i. To come to terms. [Obs.] --Shak.