Search the Dictionary

One who composes elegies. Goldsmith.

e constituents of any kind of matter. Specifically: (Chem.) A substance which cannot be decomposed into different kinds of matter by any means at present employed; as, the elements of water are oxygen and hydrogen.

The condition of being composed of elements, or a thing so composed.

A tincture with more than one base; a compound tincture or medicine, composed of various substances, held in solution by alcohol in some form.

speech, or action by something which impedes or confuses mental action; to perplex; to discompose; to disconcert; as, laughter may embarrass an orator.

Composed of eleven leaflets; -- said of a leaf.

Pertaining to, or composed of, entoplasm; as, the entoplastic products of some Protozoa, or the entoplastic modification of the cell protoplasm, by which a nucleus is produced.

An oblong vermiform mass on the dorsal side of the testicle, composed of numerous convolutions of the excretory duct of that organ. -- Ep`i*did"y*mal, a.

One who composes epigrams, or makes use of them. The brisk epigrammatist showing off his own cleverness. Holmes.

Of an even, composed frame of mind; of a steady temper; not easily elated or depressed. Bp. Gauden.

Belonging to, or composed of, the ancient Roman equities or knights; as, the equestrian order. Burke.

A defense for the shoulder, composed of flexible overlapping plates of metal, used in the 15th century; -- the origin of the modern epaulette. Fairholt.

The fundamental forms of organic life, that are composed of two equal and symmetrical halves. Syd. Soc. Lex.

All the parts which compose a whole collection or aggregate number, considered in their individuality, all taken separately one by one, out of an indefinite bumber. Every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Ps. xxxix. 5. Every door and window was adorned with wreaths of flowers. Macaulay.

Composed, performed, or uttered on the spur of the moment, or without previous study; unpremeditated; off-hand; extempore; extemporary; as, an extemporaneous address or production. -- Ex*tem`po*ra"ne*ous*ly, adv. -- Ex*tem`po*ra"ne*ous*ness,n.

To compose fables; hence, to write or speak fiction ; to write or utter what is not true. "He Fables not." Shak. Vain now the tales which fabling poets tell. Prior. He fables, yet speaks truth. M. Arnold.

To invent, compose, or relate fables or fictions. G. S. Faber.

finishing of any face of a wall with material different from that of which it is chiefly composed, or the coating or material so used.

rokenly or weakly; to stammer; as, his tongue falters. With faltering speech and visage incomposed. Milton.

A mass ccomposed of various materials confusedly mixed; a medley; a mixture. A confounded farrago of doubts, fears, hopes, wishes, and all the flimsy furniture of a country miss's brain. Sheridan.