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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Zeal ought to be composed of the highest degrees of all pious affection. Bp. Sprat. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To form the substance of, or part of the substance of; to constitute. [ 1913 Webster ]

Their borrowed gold composed
The calf in Oreb. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

A few useful things . . . compose their intellectual possessions. I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let me compose
Something in verse as well as prose. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

The genius that composed such works as the “Standard” and “Last Supper”. B. R. Haydon. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To dispose in proper form; to reduce to order; to put in proper state or condition; to adjust; to regulate. [ 1913 Webster ]

In a peaceful grave my corpse compose. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

How in safety best we may
Compose our present evils. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To free from agitation or disturbance; to tranquilize; to soothe; to calm; to quiet. [ 1913 Webster ]

Compose thy mind;
Nor frauds are here contrived, nor force designed. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Print.) To arrange (types) in a composing stick in order for printing; to set (type). [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To come to terms. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Free from agitation; calm; sedate; quiet; tranquil; self-possessed. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Mantuan there in sober triumph sate,
Composed his posture, and his look sedate. Pope.

-- Com*pos"ed*ly adv. -- Com*pos"ed*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who composes; an author. Specifically, an author of a piece of music. [ 1913 Webster ]

If the thoughts of such authors have nothing in them, they at least . . . show an honest industry and a good intention in the composer. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

His [ Mozart's ] most brilliant and solid glory is founded upon his talents as a composer. Moore (Encyc. of Mus.). [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who, or that which, quiets or calms; one who adjusts a difference. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sweet composers of the pensive soul. Gay. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Decomposed p. pr. & vb. n. Decomposing. ] [ Cf. F. décomposer. Cf. Discompose. ] To separate the constituent parts of; to resolve into original elements; to set free from previously existing forms of chemical combination; to bring to dissolution; to rot or decay. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To become resolved or returned from existing combinations; to undergo dissolution; to decay; to rot. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Zool.) Separated or broken up; -- said of the crest of birds when the feathers are divergent. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Discomposed p. pr. & vb. n. Discomposing. ] [ Pref. dis- + compose: cf. OF. decomposer, F. décomposer. ] 1. To disarrange; to interfere with; to disturb; to disorder; to unsettle; to break up. [ 1913 Webster ]

Or discomposed the headdress of a prude. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To throw into disorder; to ruffle; to destroy the composure or equanimity; to agitate. [ 1913 Webster ]

Opposition . . . discomposeth the mind's serenity. Glanvill. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To put out of place or service; to discharge; to displace. [ Obs. ] Bacon.

Syn. -- To disorder; derange; unsettle; disturb; disconcert; agitate; ruffle; fret; vex. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Disordered; disturbed; disquieted. -- Dis`com*pos"ed*ly adv. -- Dis`com*pos"ed*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Disordered; disturbed. [ Obs. ] Milton. -- In`com*po"sed*ly adv. [Obs.] -- In`com*pos"ed*ness, n. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Precomposed p. pr. & vb. n. Precomposing. ] To compose beforehand. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Recomposed p. pr. & vb. n. Recomposing. ] [ Pref. re- + compose: cf. F. recomposer. ] 1. To compose again; to form anew; to put together again or repeatedly. [ 1913 Webster ]

The far greater number of the objects presented to our observation can only be decomposed, but not actually recomposed. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To restore to composure; to quiet anew; to tranquilize; as, to recompose the mind. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who recomposes. [ 1913 Webster ]