compose

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to make up plans or basic details for

   I composed a daily itinerary for our vacation.

2. 2
   verb

   to put together out of existing material

   Using leftovers, I composed an afternoon snack.

3. 3
   verb

   to produce a literary work

   I compose poems at the weekend.

4. 4
   verb

   to write music

   Beethoven composed nine symphonies

5. 5
   verb

   to calm someone, especially oneself

   Before giving a presentation, I compose myself.

6. 6
   verb

   to form the substance of

   Greed and ambition composed their personality.

7. 7
   verb

   To make something by merging parts.

   The editor composed a historical journal from many individual letters.

8. 8
   verb

   To make up the whole; to constitute.

   A church is composed of its members.

Etymology

From Middle English composen, from Old French composer (“to compose, compound, adjust, settle”), from com- + poser, as an adaptation of Latin componere (“to put together, compose”), from com- (“together”) + ponere (“to put, place”).