compose

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to be the parts that make up something; to form a whole

   Women compose nearly half of the company's workforce.

2. 2
   verb

   to write a piece of music

   Beethoven composed nine symphonies.

3. 3
   verb

   to create something by putting parts together

   She composed a short poem from a few favourite lines.

4. 4
   verb

   to make yourself calm again after being upset

   She took a deep breath to compose herself before the interview.

Common collocations

• compose a piece Verb + noun
• compose music Verb + noun

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”).

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