compose

Verb

compose (third-person singular simple present composes, present participle composing, simple past and past participle composed)

1. (transitive) 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. (transitive) To make up the whole; to constitute.
   • A church is composed of its members.
   • A few useful things […] compose their intellectual possessions.1741, I[saac] Watts, The Improvement of the Mind: Or, A Supplement to the Art of Logick: […], London: […] James Brackstone, […], →OCLC

   Synonyms:

   constitute

3. (nonstandard, transitive) To comprise.
4. (intransitive, transitive) 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.
5. (reflexive, sometimes) To calm; to free from agitation.
   • Try to compose your thoughts.
   • The defendant couldn't compose herself and was found in contempt.
6. To arrange the elements of a photograph or other picture.
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 […]2010, Christopher Hitchens, Hitch-22, Atlantic, published 2011, page 280
8. To arrange in proper form; to reduce to order; to put in proper state or condition.
   • In a peaceful grave my corpse compose.1697, Virgil, “(please specify the book number)”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC
   • How in safety best we may / Compose our present evils.1667, John Milton, “Book II”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished...
9. (dated) To arrange (types) in a composing stick for printing; to typeset.