Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COM-POS'ED-LY, adv.

Calmly; seriously; sedately. The man very composedly answered, I am he. – Clarendon.

COM-POS'ED-NESS, n.

A state of being composed; calmness; sedateness; tranquillity.

COM-POS'ER, n.

1. One who composes; one who writes an original work; as distinguished from a compiler; an author; also, one who forms tunes, whether he adapts them to particular words or not.
2. One who quiets or calms; one who adjusts a difference.

COM-POS'ING, ppr.

Placing together; forming; constituting; writing an original work; quieting; settling; adjusting; setting types.

COM-POS'ING-STICK, n.

Among printers, an instrument in which types are set from the cases, adjusted to the length of the lines.

COM'PO-SITE, a.

In architecture, the Composite order is the last of the five orders of columns; so called because its capital is composed out of those of the other orders or columns, borrowing a quarter-round from the Tuscan and Doric, a row of leaves from the Corinthian, and volutes from the Ionic. Its cornice has simple modillions or dentils. It is called also the Roman or the Italic order. – Encyc. Composite numbers are such as can be measured exactly by a number exceeding unity, as 6 by 2 or 3; so that 4 is the lowest composite number. Composite numbers between themselves, are those which have a common measure besides unity; as 12 and 15, both which are measured by 3. – Encyc.

COM-PO-SI'TION, n. [s as z.]

1. In a general sense, the act of composing, or that which is composed; the act of forming a whole or integral, by placing together and uniting different things, parts or ingredients; or the whole body, mass or compound, thus formed. Thus we speak of the composition of medicines, by mixing divers ingredients, and call the whole mixture a composition. A composition of sand and clay is used for luting chimical vessels. Vast pillars of stone, cased over with a composition that looks like marble. – Addison. Heat and vivacity, in age, is an excellent composition for business. – Bacon.
2. In literature, the act of inventing or combining ideas, clothing them with words, arranging them in order, and in general, committing them to paper, or otherwise writing them. Hence,
3. A written or printed work; a writing, pamphlet or book. – Addison.
4. In music, the act or art of forming tunes; or a tune, song, anthem, air, or other musical piece.
5. The state of being placed together; union; conjunction; combination. Contemplate things first in their simple natures, and then view them in composition. – Watts.
6. The disposition or arrangement of figures connected in a picture. By composition is meant the distribution and orderly placing of things, both in general and particular. – Dryden.
7. Adjustment; orderly disposition. Ben Jonson speaks of the composition of gesture, look, pronunciation and motion, in a preacher.
8. Mutual agreement to terms or conditions for the settlement of a difference or controversy. Thus we are agreed; / I crave our composition may be written. – Shak.
9. Mutual agreement for the discharge of a debt, on terms or by means different from those required by the original contract, or by law, as by the payment of a different sum, or by making other compensation. Hence, the sum so paid, or compensation given, in lieu of that stipulated or required. A real composition is when an agreement is made between the owner of lands and the parson or vicar, with the consent of the ordinary and the patron, that such lands shall for the future be discharged from the payment of tithes, by reason of some land or other real recompense given to the parson, in lieu and satisfaction thereof. – Blackstone. A bankrupt is cleared by a commission of bankruptcy, or by composition with his creditors.
10. Consistency; congruity. [Little used.] – Shak.
11. The act of uniting simple ideas in a complex idea or conception; opposed to analysis. – Newton.
12. The joining of two words in a compound, as in book-case; or the act of forming a word with a prefix or affix, which varies its signification; as return, from turn; preconcert from concert; endless from end.
13. The synthetical method of reasoning; synthesis; a method of reasoning from known or admitted truths or principles, as from axioms, postulates, or propositions previously demonstrated, and from these deducing a clear knowledge of the thing to be proved; or the act of collecting scattered parts of knowledge, and combining them into a system, so that the understanding is enabled distinctly to follow truth through its different stages of gradation. This method of reasoning is opposed to analysis or resolution. It begins with first principles, and by a train of reasoning from them, deduces the propositions or truths sought. Composition or synthesis proceeds by collecting or combining; analysis or resolution, by separating or unfolding. – Harris. Encyc.
14. In printing, the act of setting types or characters in the composing-stick, to form lines, and of arranging the lines in a galley, to make a column or page, and from this to make a form.
15. In chimistry, the combination of different substances, or substances of different natures, by affinity; from which results a compound substance, differing in properties from either of the component parts. Thus water is a composition of hydrogen and oxygen, which are invisible gases.

COM-POS'I-TIVE, a.

Having the power of compounding or composing.

COM-POS'I-TOR, n. [s as z.]

1. In printing, one who sets types, and makes up the pages and forms.
2. One who sets in order.

COMPOS-MENTIS, a. [L. con and pos, from the root of possum, potis.]

Possessed of mind; in a sound state of mind.

COM-POS-SES'SOR, n.

A joint possessor.

COM-POS'SI-BLE, a. [con and possible.]

Consistent. [Not used.] – Chillingworth.

COM'POST, n.¹ [It. composta; L. compositum, from compono. See Compose.]

In agriculture, a mixture or composition of various manuring substances for fertilizing land. Compost may be made by almost every animal and vegetable substance in nature, with lime or other earthy matter.

COM'POST, n.²

To manure with compost. – Bacon.

COM-POS'TURE, n.

Soil; manure. [Not used.] – Shak.

COM-POS'URE, n. [comp'ozhur. See Compose.]

1. The act of composing, or that which is composed; a composition; as, a form of prayer of public composure; a hasty composure. In the composures of men, remember you are a man. – Watts. In this use, this word has given way to composition.
2. Composition; combination; arrangement; order. [Little used.] When such a composure of letters, such a word, is intended to signify certain thing. – Holder.
3. The form, adjustment, or disposition of the various parts. In composure of his face, / Lived a fair but manly grace. – Crashaw. The outward form and composure of the body. – Duppa.
4. Frame; make; temperament. His composure must be rare indeed, / Whom these things can not blemish. – Shak.
5. A settled state of the mind; sedateness; calmness; tranquility. When the passions are silent, the mind enjoys its most perfect composure. – Watts. [This is the most common use of this word.]
6. Agreement; settlement of differences; composition. [Little used.] The treaty at Uxbridge gave the fairest hopes of happy composure. – King Charles.

COM-PO-TA'TION, n. [L. compotatio; con and potatio, from poto, to drink.]

The act of drinking or tippling together. – Brown. Philips.

COM'PO-TA-TOR, n.

One who drinks with another. – Pope.

COM'POUND, a.

1. Composed of two or more ingredients. Compound substances are made up of two or more simple substances. – Watts.
2. In grammar, composed of two or more words. Ink-stand, writing-desk, carelessness, are compound words.
3. In botany, a compound flower is a species of aggregate flower, containing several florets, inclosed in a common perianth, on a common receptacle, with the anthers connected in a cylinder, as in the sunflower and dandelion. – Martyn. Harris. A compound stem is one that divides into branches. A compound leaf connects several leaflets in one petiole, called a common petiole. A compound raceme is composed of several racemules or small racemes. A compound spike is composed of several spicules or spikelets. A compound corymb is formed of several small corymbs. A compound umbel is one which has all its rays or peduncles bearing umbellules or small umbels at the top. A compound fructification consists of several confluent florets: opposed to simple.
4. Compound interest, is interest upon interest; when the interest of a sum is added to the principal, and then bears interest; or when the interest of a sum is put upon interest.
5. Compound motion, is that which is effected by two or more conspiring powers, acting in different but not in opposite directions.
6. Compound number, is that which may be divided by some other number besides unity, without a remainder; as 18, which may be divided by 2, 6 and 9.
7. Compound ratio, is that which the product of the antecedents of two or more ratios has to the product of their consequents. Thus 6 to 72 is in a ratio compounded of 2 to 6, and of 3 to 12.
8. Compound quantities, in algebra, are such as are joined by the signs + and -, plus and minus, and expressed by more letters than one, or by the same letters unequally repeated. Thus a+b-c, and bb-b, are compound quantities. – Bailey.
9. Compound larceny, is that which is accompanied with the aggravation of taking goods from one's house or person. – Blackstone.
10. Compound time, in music, is when two or more measures are joined in one, as 3/8 and 6/8.

COM'POUND, n.

A mass or body formed by the union or mixture of two or more ingredients or different substances; the result of composition. Mortar is a compound of lime, sand and water. Man is a compound of flesh and spirit. – South.

COM-POUND', v.i.

1. To agree upon concession; to come to terms of agreement, by abating something of the first demand; followed by for before the thing accepted or remitted. They were glad to compound for his bare commitment to the Tower. – Clarendon.
2. To bargain in the lump; to agree; followed by with. Compound with this fellow by the year. – Shak.
3. To come to terms, by granting something on each side; to agree. Cornwall compounded to furnish ten oxen for thirty pounds. – Carew. Paracelsus and his admirers have compounded with the Galenists, and brought into practice a mixed use of chimical medicines. – Temple.
4. To settle with a creditor by agreement, and discharge a debt by paying a part of its amount; or to make an agreement to pay a debt by means or in a manner different from that stipulated or required by law. A bankrupt may compound with his creditors for ten shillings on the pound, or fifty cents on the dollar. A man may compound with a parson to pay a sum of money in lieu of tithes. [See Composition, No. 9.] To compound with a felon, is to take the goods stolen, or other amends, upon an agreement not to prosecute him. – Blackstone.

COM-POUND', v.t. [L. compono; con and pono, to set or put; Sp. componer; It. comporre, for componere; Port. compor.]

1. To mix or unite two or more ingredients in one mass or body; as, to compound drugs. Whoever compoundeth any like it, shall be cut off from his people. – Ex. xxx.
2. To unite or combine. We have the power of altering and compounding images into all the varieties of picture. – Addison.
3. To compose; to constitute. [Not used.] – Shak.
4. In grammar, to unite two or more words; to form one word of two or more.
5. To settle amicably; to adjust by agreement; as a difference or controversy. – Bacon. Shak. [In this sense we now use compose.]
6. To pay by agreement; to discharge, as a debt, by paying a part, or giving an equivalent different from that stipulated or required; as, to compound debts. – Gay. But we now use, more generally, to compound with. [See the verb intransitive.] To compound felony, is for a person robbed to take the goods again, or other compensation, upon an agreement not to prosecute the thief or robber. This offense is, by the law of England, punishable by fine and imprisonment. – Blackstone.

COM-POUND'A-BLE, a.

Capable of being compounded. – Sherwood.

COM-POUND'ED, pp.

Made up of different materials; mixed; formed by union of two or more substances.

COM-POUND'ER, n.

One who compounds or mixes different things. One who attempts to bring parties to terms of agreement. [Little used.] – Swift.