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comprisal

 - 1 dictionary result

com⋅prise

[kuhm-prahyz]
–verb (used with object), -prised, -pris⋅ing.
1. to include or contain: The Soviet Union comprised several socialist republics.
2. to consist of; be composed of: The advisory board comprises six members.
3. to form or constitute: Seminars and lectures comprised the day's activities.
4. be comprised of, to consist of; be composed of: The sales network is comprised of independent outlets and chain stores.

Origin:
1400–50; late ME comprisen < MF compris (ptp. of comprendre) < L comprehēnsus; see comprehension


com⋅pris⋅a⋅ble, adjective
com⋅pris⋅al, noun


1. See include.


Comprise has had an interesting history of sense development. In addition to its original senses, dating from the 15th century, “to include” and “to consist of” (The United States of America comprises 50 states), comprise has had since the late 18th century the meaning “to form or constitute” (Fifty states comprise the United States of America). Since the late 19th century it has also been used in passive constructions with a sense synonymous with that of one of its original meanings “to consist of, be composed of”: The United States of America is comprised of 50 states. These later uses are often criticized, but they occur with increasing frequency even in formal speech and writing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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