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 prigin 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 hidhest 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).
© Webster 1913.
Com*pose", v. i.
To come to terms.
[Obs.]
Shak.
© Webster 1913.