Meaning of compose in English

Table of contents

Verb
compose
Etymology
late Middle English (in the general sense ‘put together, construct’): from Old French composer, from Latin componere (see component), but influenced by Latin compositus‘composed’ and Old French poser‘to place’
Definitions
1. form the substance of
Examples
- « Greed and ambition composed his personality »
Derived terms
2. write music
Examples
- « Beethoven composed nine symphonies »
Derived terms
3. produce a literary work
Examples
- « She composed a poem »
- « He wrote four novels »
Derived terms
4. put together out of existing material
Examples
- « compile a list »
Derived terms
5. calm (someone, especially oneself)
Examples
- « make quiet »
- « She had to compose herself before she could reply to this terrible insult »
Derived terms
6. draw up the plans or basic details for
Examples
- « frame a policy »
Derived terms
- framer
- framing

Famous quotes

« I did not compose my work as one might put on a church vestment... rather it sprung from the truly fervent faith of my heart, such as I have felt it since my childhood. »
Franz Liszt
« With the help of modern technology, I can compose intricate keyboard parts and then I have to go back and learn them in order to perform them properly. »
Geddy Lee
« For it is the duty of an astronomer to compose the history of the celestial motions through careful and expert study. »
Nicolaus Copernicus
« Writing is a form of therapy sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose or paint can manage to escape the madness, melancholia, the panic and fear which is inherent in a human situation. »
Graham Greene
« The U.S. will ignore the opinion of the Iraqi people and it will compose the new government according to its own desires. »
Muqtada al Sadr