compositions

Noun

composition (countable and uncountable, plural compositions)

1. The act of putting together; assembly.
2. A mixture or compound; the result of composing.
   • Ste. What do'st thou know me for?
     Kent. A Knave, a Rascall, [...] one that would'st be a Baud in way of good service, and art nothing but the composition of a Kave, Begger, Coward, Pandar, and the Sonne and Heire of a Mungrill Bitch, one whom I will beate in to clamours whining, if thou deny'st the...c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...

   Synonyms:

   composite

3. The proportion of different parts to make a whole.
   • And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the Lord.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Exodus 30:37
4. The general makeup of a thing or person.
   • John of Gaunt. O how that name befits my composition!
     Old Gaunt indeed, and gaunt in being old:
     Within me grief hath kept a tedious fast;
     And who abstains from meat that is not gaunt?1595 December 9 (first known performance), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Richard the Second”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to...

   Synonyms:

   configuration

5. A puzzle created by the composer using chess pieces on a chessboard, which presents the solver with a particular task.
6. (obsolete) An agreement or treaty used to settle differences; later especially, an agreement to stop hostilities; a truce.
   • It will stoope and yeeld upon better compositions to him that shall make head against it.1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 40, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book I, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC

See all 20 meanings of composition