Nearby Words
Synonyms
n
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.
EXPANDan 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.
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, especially 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.
COLLAPSEMathematics. the process of making a composite function of two given functions.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Composition
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
composition
late 14c., "action of combining," also "manner in which a thing is composed," from Fr. composicion (13c.) "composition, make-up, literary work, agreement, settlement," from L. compositionem, noun of action from componere (see composite). Meaning "art of constructing sentences"
EXPANDis from 1550s; that of "literary production" (often also "writing exercise for students") is from c.1600. Printing sense is 1832; meaning "arrangement of parts in a picture" is from 1706.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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FOLDOC
Encyclopedia Britannica
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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