| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. |
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| compose |
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| SYLLABICATION: | com·pose |
| PRONUNCIATION: |  k m-p z |
| VERB: | Inflected forms: com·posed, com·pos·ing, com·pos·es
| | TRANSITIVE VERB: | 1. To make up the constituent parts of; constitute or form: an exhibit composed of French paintings; the many ethnic groups that compose our nation. See Usage Note at comprise. 2. To make or create by putting together parts or elements. 3. To create or produce (a literary or musical piece). 4. To make (oneself) calm or tranquil: Compose yourself and deal with the problems logically. 5. To settle or adjust; reconcile: They managed to compose their differences. 6. To arrange aesthetically or artistically. 7. Printing To arrange or set (type or matter to be printed). | | INTRANSITIVE VERB: | 1. To create a literary or musical piece. 2. Printing To set type. | | ETYMOLOGY: | Middle English composen, from Old French composer, alteration (influenced by poser, to put, place) of Latin compnere; see component.
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| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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