compose

com|pose [kəmˈpəuz US -ˈpouz] v

[Date: 1300-1400; : Old French; Origin: composer, from Latin componere; COMPOUND²]

1.) a) be composed of sth

to be formed from a number of substances, parts, or people

= ↑consist of

▪ Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen.

▪ The legal system is composed of people, and people make mistakes.

b) [T not in progressive] formal

to combine together to form something

= ↑make up

▪ More than 17.6 million firms compose the business sector of our economy.

2.) [I and T]

to write a piece of music

→↑composer, composition ↑composition

▪ Barrington has composed the music for a new production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

3.) compose a letter/poem/speech etc

to write a letter, poem etc, thinking very carefully about it as you write it

▪ Compose a letter to your local paper stating your views on an issue of your choice.

4.) a) compose yourself

to try hard to become calm after feeling very angry, upset, or excited

▪ Lynn sat at the desk, taking several deep breaths to compose herself.

b) compose your face/features/thoughts

to make yourself look or feel calm

→↑composure

▪ When asked a question, give yourself a second or two to compose your thoughts.

5.) [T]

to arrange the parts of a painting, photograph, or scene in a way that achieves a particular result

▪ I like the way he composes his photographs.