Com*pose" , v. i. To come to terms. [Obs.]
Shak.
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).