compose
/kəmˈpoʊz/ verb B1- To make something by merging parts. · The editor composed a historical journal from many individual letters.
- To make up the whole; to constitute.
- 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.
- To calm; to free from agitation. · Try to compose your thoughts.· The defendant couldn't compose herself and was found in contempt.
- To arrange the elements of a photograph or other picture.
- To settle (an argument, dispute etc.); to come to a settlement.
- To arrange in proper form; to reduce to order; to put in proper state or condition.
- To arrange (types) in a composing stick for printing; to typeset.
He/she/it composes · Past composed · Past participle composed · -ing form composing
Verb forms
- Base form
- compose
- He/she/it
- composes
- Past
- composed
- Past participle
- composed
- -ing form
- composing
From the library
Danglars and Caderousse set off upon their errand at full speed; but ere they had gone many steps they perceived a group advancing towards them, composed of the betrothed pair, a party of young girls in attendance on the bride, by whose side walked Dantès’ father; the whole brought up by Fernand, whose lips wore their usual sinister smile.
All hands obeyed, and at once the eight or ten seamen who composed the crew, sprang to their respective stations at the spanker brails and outhaul, topsail sheets and halyards, the jib downhaul, and the topsail clewlines and buntlines.
The sight of this officer recalled Villefort from the third heaven to earth; he composed his face, as we have before described, and said, “I have read the letter, sir, and you have acted rightly in arresting this man; now inform me what you have discovered concerning him and the conspiracy.”
He stifled, therefore, the feelings of compassion that were rising, composed his features, and sat down, grim and sombre, at his desk.
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