compose

Etymology

From Middle English composen, from Old French composer (“to compose, compound, adjust, settle”), from com- + poser, as an adaptation of Latin componere (“to put together, compose”), from com- (“together”) + ponere (“to put, place”).

verb

1. (transitive) To make something by merging parts.
   The editor composed a historical journal from many individual letters.
   December 22 1678, Thomas Sprat, A Sermon Preached before the King at White-Hall Zeal ought to be composed of the highest degrees of all pious affection.
2. (transitive) To make up the whole; to constitute.
   A church is composed of its members.
3. (transitive, nonstandard) To comprise.
4. (transitive or intransitive) To construct by mental labor; to think up; particularly, to produce or create a literary or musical work.
   The orator composed his speech over the week prior.
   Nine numbered symphonies, including the Fifth, were composed by Beethoven.
   It's difficult to compose without absolute silence.
   Let me […] compose / Something in Verse as true as Prose. 1714, Alexander Pope, Imitation of Horace, Book II. Sat. 6
   the genius that composed such works as the "Standard" and "Last Supper" 1838, Benjamin Haydon, Painting, and the fine arts
5. (sometimes reflexive) To calm; to free from agitation.
   Try to compose your thoughts.
   The defendant couldn't compose herself and was found in contempt.
6. To arrange the elements of a photograph or other picture.
7. To settle (an argument, dispute etc.); to come to a settlement.
   By trying his best to compose matters with the mullahs, he had sincerely shown that he did not seek a violent collision […] 2010, Christopher Hitchens, Hitch-22, Atlantic, published 2011, page 280
8. To arrange in proper form; to reduce to order; to put in proper state or condition.
   In a peaceful grave my corpse compose.
9. (printing, dated) To arrange (types) in a composing stick for printing; to typeset.