GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 2 definitions

  1.       
    
    Compose , 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.
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      Zeal ought to be composed of the highest degrees of all pious affection.
      Bp. Sprat.

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    2. To form the substance of, or part of the substance of; to constitute.
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      Their borrowed gold composed
      The calf in Oreb.
      Milton.

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      A few useful things . . . compose their intellectual possessions.
      I. Watts.

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    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.
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      Let me compose
      Something in verse as well as prose.
      Pope.

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      The genius that composed such works as the “Standard” and “Last Supper”.
      B. R. Haydon.

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    4. To dispose in proper form; to reduce to order; to put in proper state or condition; to adjust; to regulate.
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      In a peaceful grave my corpse compose.
      Dryden.

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

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    5. To free from agitation or disturbance; to tranquilize; to soothe; to calm; to quiet.
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      Compose thy mind;
      Nor frauds are here contrived, nor force designed.
      Dryden.

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    6. (Print.) To arrange (types) in a composing stick in order for printing; to set (type).
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  2.       
    
    Composing, a.
    1. Tending to compose or soothe.
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    2. Pertaining to, or used in, composition.
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      Composing frame (Print.), a stand for holding cases of type when in use. -- Composing rule (Print.), a thin slip of brass or steel, against which the type is arranged in a composing stick, or by the aid of which stickfuls or handfuls or type are lifted; -- called also setting rule. -- Composing stick (Print.), an instrument usually of metal, which the compositor holds in his left hand, and in which he arranges the type in words and lines. It has one open side, and one adjustable end by means of which the length of the lines, and consequently the width of the page or column, may be determined.

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