compose

verb

1. 1

   To make something by merging parts.

   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. 2

   To make up the whole; to constitute.

   A church is composed of its members.

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

3. 3

   To comprise.

4. 4

   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.

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

   It's difficult to compose without absolute silence.

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

5. 5

   To calm; to free from agitation.

   Try to compose your thoughts.

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

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

6. 6

   To arrange the elements of a photograph or other picture.

7. 7

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

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

8. 8

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

   In a peaceful grave my corpse compose.

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

9. 9

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

Forms

past tense

composed

past participle

composed

present participle

composing

third person singular

composes