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Composition

 - 5 dictionary results

com⋅po⋅si⋅tion

  [kom-puh-zish-uhn]
Use Composition in a Sentence
–noun
1. the act of combining parts or elements to form a whole.
2. the resulting state or product.
3. manner of being composed; structure: This painting has an orderly composition.
4. makeup; constitution: His moral composition was impeccable.
5. an aggregate material formed from two or more substances: a composition of silver and tin.
6. a short essay written as a school exercise.
7. the act or process of producing a literary work.
8. an academic course for teaching the techniques of clear, expository writing.
9. the art of putting words and sentences together in accordance with the rules of grammar and rhetoric.
10. a piece of music.
11. the art of composing music.
12. Fine Arts. the organization or grouping of the different parts of a work of art so as to achieve a unified whole.
13. Grammar. the formation of compounds or derivatives: the composition of “aircraft” from “air” and “craft.”
14. a settlement by mutual agreement.
15. an agreement or compromise, esp. one by which a creditor or group of creditors accepts partial payment from a debtor.
16. a sum of money so paid.
17. Printing.
a. the setting up of type for printing.
b. Also called pagination. the makeup of pages for printing.
18. Mathematics. the process of making a composite function of two given functions.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME composicioun < AF < L compositiōn- (s. of compositiō), equiv. to composit(us) (see composite ) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms:
com⋅po⋅si⋅tion⋅al, adjective
com⋅po⋅si⋅tion⋅al⋅ly, adverb
com⋅pos⋅i⋅tive  [kuhm-poz-i-tiv] , adjective
com⋅pos⋅i⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Composition
com·po·si·tion   (kŏm'pə-zĭsh'ən)   
n.  

    1. The combining of distinct parts or elements to form a whole.

    2. The manner in which such parts are combined or related.

    3. General makeup: the changing composition of the electorate.

    4. The result or product of composing; a mixture or compound.

    5. The art or act of composing a musical or literary work.

    6. A work of music, literature, or art, or its structure or organization.

  2. Arrangement of artistic parts so as to form a unified whole.

    1. The art or act of composing a musical or literary work.

    2. A work of music, literature, or art, or its structure or organization.

  4. A short essay, especially one written as an academic exercise.

  5. Law A settlement whereby the creditors of a debtor about to enter bankruptcy agree, in return for some financial consideration, usually proffered immediately, to the discharge of their respective claims on receipt of payment which is in a lesser amount than that actually owed on the claim.

  6. Linguistics The formation of compounds from separate words.

  7. Printing Typesetting.


[Middle English composicioun, from Old French composition, from Latin compositiō, compositiōn-, from compositus, past participle of compōnere, to put together; see component.]
com'po·si'tion·al adj., com'po·si'tion·al·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: com·po·si·tion
Function: noun
: an agreement between an insolvent debtor and several creditors whereby partial payment of the debts discharges in full the original obligations —compare ACCORD, COMPROMISE
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Computing Dictionary

composition
1. function composition.
2. typesetting.

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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Encyclopedia

composition

in ancient Germanic law, money given to a person who had been wronged or injured by the person responsible for the act. Composition arose among the Germanic peoples as an alternative to blood feud and personal vengeance. The amount paid was determined by a man's worth, or wer, which in turn was determined by his status in society. If he died, the money went to his family; in certain cases part went to the lord or king, as compensation for loss of a vassal. Although the right to composition and the amount paid originally arose out of an agreement between the parties involved, these issues were later settled by law. See also wergild.

Learn more about composition with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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