WordWeb Online

1. Form the substance of
   "Greed and ambition composed his personality"
    
2. (music) write music
   "Beethoven composed nine symphonies";
   - write
    
3. Produce a literary work
   "She composed a poem";
   - write, pen, indite [archaic]
    
4. Put together out of existing material
   "compose a list";
   - compile
    
5. Calm (someone, especially oneself); make quiet
   "She had to compose herself before she could reply to this terrible insult"
    
6. Make up plans or basic details for
   "compose a policy";
   - frame, draw up
    
7. Arrange to make a pleasing picture, artwork, etc.
   "You have composed the picture very well with a great background"

Derived forms: composing, composes, composed

Type of: be, calm, calm down, comprise, constitute, create, create verbally, lull, make, make up, plan, quiet, quieten [Brit], represent, still, tranquilize [N. Amer], tranquillise [Brit], tranquillize

Encyclopedia: Compose