verb
compose
kuhm-POHZ/kəmˈpəʊz/
To put parts together into a whole.
She composes a short melody for the school play.
Etymology
The 'cease, lay down' root acquired the sense 'place' in French under the influence of Latin ponere, 'put.' Thus 'placing together' became arranging elements into a work of writing or music.
In context
Deconstructivist architects must rely on plain surfaces and volumes to compose their buildings like enormous abstract sculptures
More examples
- I compose a brief email explaining the changes.
- The committee is composed of teachers, parents, and students.
- He composes each photograph with careful attention to light.
Forms
compose · composes · composed · composing
composer noun — A person who creates musical works.
composition noun — The arrangement of parts into a whole.
Similar words
- create
- Means making something new, not necessarily by arranging parts.
- arrange
- Emphasizes ordering elements rather than creating a complete work.
- constitute
- Means making up a whole, not creatively producing it.