compose — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To make something by merging parts.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   The editor composed a historical journal from many individual letters.

   December 22 1678, Thomas Sprat, A Sermon Preached before the King at White-Hall Zeal ought to be composed of the highest degrees of all pious affection.

2. To make up the whole; to constitute.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   A church is composed of its members.

   A few useful things […] compose their intellectual possessions.

3. To comprise.

   Usage

   • nonstandard
   • Transitive

4. To construct by mental labor; to think up; particularly, to produce or create a literary or musical work.

   Usage

   • Intransitive
   • Transitive

   Examples

   The orator composed his speech over the week prior.

   Nine numbered symphonies, including the Fifth, were composed by Beethoven.

   More examples (3)

   It's difficult to compose without absolute silence.

   Let me […] compose / Something in Verse as true as Prose.

   the genius that composed such works as the "Standard" and "Last Supper"

5. To calm; to free from agitation.

   Usage

   • Reflexive
   • sometimes

   Examples

   Try to compose your thoughts.

   The defendant couldn't compose herself and was found in contempt.

   More examples (1)

   Compose thy mind; / Nor frauds are here contrived, nor force designed.

6. To arrange the elements of a photograph or other picture.

7. To settle (an argument, dispute etc.); to come to a settlement.

   Examples

   By trying his best to compose matters with the mullahs, he had sincerely shown that he did not seek a violent collision […]

8. To arrange in proper form; to reduce to order; to put in proper state or condition.

   Examples

   In a peaceful grave my corpse compose.

   How in safety best we may / Compose our present evils.

9. To arrange (types) in a composing stick for printing; to typeset.

   Usage

   • Dated

Verb

1. form the substance of

   Broader terms

   constituterepresentmake upcomprisebe

   Examples

   Greed and ambition composed his personality

2. write music

   Synonyms

   write

   Broader terms

   makecreate

   Examples

   Beethoven composed nine symphonies

3. produce a literary work

   Synonyms

   writepenindite

   Broader terms

   create verbally

   Examples

   She composed a poem

   He wrote four novels

4. put together out of existing material

   Synonyms

   compile

   Broader terms

   make

   Examples

   compile a list

5. calm (someone, especially oneself); make quiet

   Broader terms

   calmcalm downquiettranquilizetranquillizetranquillisequietenlullstill

   Examples

   She had to compose herself before she could reply to this terrible insult

6. make up plans or basic details for

   Synonyms

   framedraw up

   Broader terms

   plan

   Examples

   frame a policy