compose

Universal Words verb 1 [VN] [nopassive] (not used in the progressive tenses) (formal) to combine together to form a whole: Ten men compose the committee. seealsoCOMPOSED -< COMPRISE 2 to write music: [VN] Mozart composed his last opera shortly before he died. [also V] 3 [VN] ~ a letter / speech / poem to write a letter, etc. usually with a lot of care and thought: She composed a letter of protest. 4 [VN] [nopassive] (formal) to manage to control your feelings or expression: Emma frowned, making an effort to compose herself. * I was so confused that I could hardly compose my thoughts. seealsoCOMPOSURE