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One of the four humors of which the ancients supposed the blood to be composed. See Humor. Arbuthnot.

or entire words; (2) Syllabic signs, which stand for the articulations of which words are composed; (3) Alphabetic signs, or letters, which represent the elementary sounds into which the syllable can be resolved. I. Taylor (The Alphabet).

A crustacean gill composed of lamellæ.

An alloy of copper and zinc, resembling gold; a yellow metal, composed of about three ounces of zinc to a pound of copper. It is much used as an imitation of gold in the manufacture of cheap jewelry.

Composed of, containing, or resembling, pisolite.

eeds, and a stigma, which is commonly raised on an elongated portion called a style. When composed of one carpel a pistil is simple; when composed of several, it is compound. See Illust. of Flower, and Ovary.

The mode in which the placenta is arranged or composed; as, axile placentation; parietal placentation.

a substance composed predominantly of a synthetic organic high polymer capable of being cast or molded; many varieties of plastic are used to produce articles of commerce (after 1900). [MW10 gives origin of word as 1905]

Metallic armor composed of broad pieces. Mangled . . . through plate and mail. Milton.

A tissue consisting of long and slender tubular cells, of which wood is mainly composed.

sed in cleaning lithographic stones. -- Polishing wheel, a wheel or disk coated with, or composed of, abrading material, for polishing a surface.

Composed of several or numerous carpels; -- said of such fruits as the orange.

A division of Radiolaria including numerous minute marine species. The skeleton is composed of silica, and is often very elegant in form and sculpture. Many have been found in the fossil state.

An expression composed of two or more terms, connected by the signs plus or minus; as, a2 - 2ab + b2.

A fruit composed of several cartilaginous or bony carpels inclosed in an adherent fleshy mass, which is partly receptacle and partly calyx, as an apple, quince, or pear.

A beverage composed of hot milk curdled by some strong infusion, as by wine, etc., -- much in favor formerly. "I have drugged their posset." Shak.

A short homily or commentary on a passage of Scripture; as, the first postils were composed by order of Charlemagne.

One of the furs; a surface composed of patches which are supposed to represent crutch heads; they are always alternately argent and azure, unless otherwise specially mentioned. Counter potent (Her.), a fur differing from potent in the arrangement of the patches.

A ragout composed of different sorts of meats, vegetables, etc., cooked together.

An inch, as composed of twelve seconds in the duodecimal system; - - denoted by [']. See 2d Inch, n., 1. Prime of the moon, the new moon at its first appearance.