Nearby Words
verb (used with object), -prised, -pris·ing.
Idiom1.
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.
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Comprised
is always a great word to know.
So is interrobang. Does it mean:
| a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question. |
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English comprisen < Middle French compris (past participle of comprendre) < Latin comprehēnsus; see comprehension
1400–50; late Middle English comprisen < Middle French compris (past participle of comprendre) < Latin comprehēnsus; see comprehension
Related forms
com·pris·a·ble, adjective
com·pris·al, noun
Usage note
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. EXPANDThese later uses are often criticized, but they occur with increasing frequency even in formal speech and writing
COLLAPSE
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. EXPANDThese later uses are often criticized, but they occur with increasing frequency even in formal speech and writing
COLLAPSE
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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Link To comprised
Example Sentences
- Aged persons comprised a large part of the death list, which has decreased by.
- The position is comprised of an alumni relations portfolio and a development portfolio.
- The government's treasuries are only so big and they're comprised of tax dollars from citizens.
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
comprise
1423, from O.Fr. compris, pp. of comprendre "to contain, comprise," from L. comprehendere (see comprehend).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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