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A dramatic composition, or representation of a bright and amusing character, based upon the foibles of individuals, the manners of society, or the ludicrous events or accidents of life; a play in which mirth predominates and the termination of the plot is happy; -- opposed to tragedy. With all the vivacity if comedy. M…

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.

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.

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.

To effect a composition; to come to terms of agreement; to agree; to settle by a compromise; -- usually followed by with before the person participating, and for before the thing compounded or the consideration. Here's a fellow will help you to-morrow; . . . compound with him by the year. Shak. They were at last glad t…

ontrived or planned; agreed on; as, concerted schemes, signals. Concerted piece (Mus.), a composition in parts for several voices or instrument, as a trio, a quartet, etc.

A composition (usually in symphonic form with three movements) in which one instrument (or two or three) stands out in bold relief against the orchestra, or accompaniment, so as to display its qualities or the performer's skill.

To direct, as the leader in the performance of a musical composition.

A composition of different materials. [Obs.] A new confection of mold. Bacon.

onstructing; the act of building; erection; the act of devising and forming; fabrication; composition.

To destroy, as by decomposition, dissipation, waste, or fire; to use up; to expend; to waste; to burn up; to eat up; to devour. If he were putting to my house the brand That shall consume it. Shak. Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume. Matt. vi. 20 (Rev. Ver. ). Let me alo…

osition, signifying against, contrary, in opposition, etc., entering as a prefix into the composition of many English words. Cf. Counter, adv. & pref.

all other persons. This right may be had in maps, charts, engravings, plays, and musical compositions, as well as in books.

rpuscles (Physiol.), rounded, slightly flattened, nucleated cells, mainly protoplasmic in composition, and possessed of contractile power. In man, the average size is about 1/2500 of an inch, and they are present in blood in much smaller numbers than the red corpuscles.

The act of corrupting or making putrid, or state of being corrupt or putrid; decomposition or disorganization, in the process of putrefaction; putrefaction; deterioration. The inducing and accelerating of putrefaction is a subject of very universal inquiry; for corruption is a reciprocal to "generation". Bacon.…