/kəm'pəʊz; kəm`poz/
v
1 (a) [I, Tn] write (music, opera, etc) 写, 创作（乐曲、歌剧等）
*She began to compose (songs) at an early age. 她年轻时就已开始创作（歌曲）.
(b) [Tn] (fml 文) write (a poem, speech, etc) 写（诗、讲稿等）
*I'm composing a formal reply to the letter. 我正写一封郑重其事的回信.
2 [Tn no passive 不用于被动语态] (not in the continuous tenses 不用于进行时态) (fml 文) (of parts or elements of sth) form (a whole); constitute （指某事物的部分或成分）构成（整体）; 组成
*the short scenes that compose the play 组成该剧的各场. =>Usage at comprise 用法见comprise.
3 [Tn no passive 不用于被动语态] bring (oneself/sth) under control; calm 使（自己[某事物]）安定, 平静, 镇静, 冷静
*His mind was in such a whirl that he could hardly compose his thoughts. 他心乱如麻难以镇定下来.
* Please compose yourself; there's no need to get excited! 请镇静, 不必激动! Cf 参看 composure.
4 [Tn] put (printing type) in order, to form words, paragraphs, pages, etc 将（铅字）排成词、段、页等. Cf 参看 compositor.

v
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French;Origin: composer, from Latin componere; COMPOUND²]
a) be composed of sth
to be formed from a number of substances, parts, or people
= consist of
　Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen.
　The legal system is composed of people, and people make mistakes.
b) [T not in progressive]formal
to combine together to form something
= make up
　More than 17.6 million firms compose the business sector of our economy.
[I and T]
to write a piece of music
→composer, composition composition
　Barrington has composed the music for a new production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.
compose a letter/poem/speech etc
to write a letter, poem etc, thinking very carefully about it as you write it
　Compose a letter to your local paper stating your views on an issue of your choice.
a) compose yourself
to try hard to become calm after feeling very angry, upset, or excited
　Lynn sat at the desk, taking several deep breaths to compose herself.
b) compose your face/features/thoughts
to make yourself look or feel calm
→composure
　When asked a question, give yourself a second or two to compose your thoughts.
[T]
to arrange the parts of a painting, photograph, or scene in a way that achieves a particular result
　I like the way he composes his photographs.