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Exalted; overlooking; having superior strategic advantages; as, a commanding position.

illustrate, or criticise the meaning of a writing, book, etc.; explanation; annotation; exposition. All the volumes of philosophy, With all their comments. Prior.

A series of comments or annotations; esp., a book of explanations or expositions on the whole or a part of the Scriptures or of some other work. This letter . . . was published by him with a severe commentary. Hallam.

The act or process of commenting or criticising; exposition. [R.] The spirit of commentation. Whewell.

erior. Bartlett. Commissioner of deeds, an officer having authority to take affidavits, depositions, acknowledgment of deeds, etc., for use in the State by which he is appointed. [U. S.] -- County commissioners, certain administrative officers in some of the States, invested by local laws with various powers in referen…

ining it is suspended in gimbals within the binnacle, in order to preserve its horizontal position. -- Surveyor's compass, an instrument used in surveying for measuring horizontal angles. See Circumferentor. -- Variation compass, a compass of delicate construction, used in observations on the variations of the needle…

Having a temper or disposition to pity; sympathetic; merciful. There never was any heart truly great and generous, that was not also tender and compassionate. South.

A brief compilation or composition, containing the principal heads, or general principles, of a larger work or system; an abridgment; an epitome; a compend; a condensed summary. A short system or compendium of a sience. I. Watts.

To contend emulously; to seek or strive for the same thing, position, or reward for which another is striving; to contend in rivalry, as for a prize or in business; as, tradesmen compete with one another. The rival statesmen, with eyes fixed on America, were all the while competing for European alliances. Bancroft.…

Disposition to please or oblige; obliging compliance with the wishes of others; a deportment indicative of a desire to please; courtesy; civility. These [ladies] . . . are by the just complaisance and gallantry of our nation the most powerful part of our people. Addison. They strive with their own hearts and keep them…

The state of being complex; complexity. [Obs.] Though the terms of propositions may be complex, yet . . . it is proprly called a simple syllogism, since the complexion does not belong to the syllogistic form of it. I. Watts.

Having (such) a complexion; -- used in composition; as, a dark- complexioned or a ruddy-complexioned person. A flower is the best-complexioned grass, as a pearl is the best- colored clay. Fuller.

A disposition to yield to others; complaisance. A man of few words and of great compliance. Clarendon.

Compliance; disposition to yield to others. Goldsmith.

Short for Composition; -- used, esp. in England, colloq. in various trade applications; as :

Pertaining to, or used in, composition. Composing frame (Print.), a stand for holding cases of type when in use. -- Composing rule (Print.), a thin slip of brass or steel, against which the type is arranged in a composing stick, or by the aid of which stickfuls or handfuls or type are lifted; -- called also setting ru…

That which is made up of parts or compounded of several elements; composition; combination; compound. [R.]

Having the quality of entering into composition; compounded. [R.]

A mixture for fertilizing land; esp., a composition of various substances (as muck, mold, lime, and stable manure) thoroughly mingled and decomposed, as in a compost heap. And do not spread the compost on the weeds To make them ranker. Shak.

The act of composing, or that which is composed; a composition. [Obs.] Signor Pietro, who had an admirable way both of composure [in music] and teaching. Evelyn.