Com*pose" (?), 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.
Zeal ought to be composed of the highest
degrees of all pious affection.
Bp. Sprat.
2. To form the substance of, or part of
the substance of; to constitute.
Their borrowed gold composed
The calf in Oreb.
Milton.
A few useful things . . . compose their
intellectual possessions.
I. Watts.
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.
Let me compose
Something in verse as well as prose.
Pope.
The genius that composed such works as the
"Standard" and "Last Supper".
B. R. Haydon.
4. To dispose in proper form; to reduce
to order; to put in proper state or condition; to adjust; to
regulate.
In a peaceful grave my corpse compose.
Dryden.
How in safety best we may
Compose our present evils.
Milton.
5. To free from agitation or disturbance;
to tranquilize; to soothe; to calm; to quiet.
Compose thy mind;
Nor frauds are here contrived, nor force designed.
Dryden.
6. (Print.) To arrange (types) in
a composing stick in order for printing; to set (type).
Com*pose", v. i. To come to
terms. [Obs.] Shak.
