▪ I. † composture Obs. or dial.
(kəmˈpɒstjʊə(r))
[a. F. composture, ad. L. compos[i]tūra, f. composit- ppl. stem of compōnere: see composition. Cf. posture, imposture(= imposition). Med.L. compostūra, and OF. composture were chiefly in sense 2.]
1. Composition, composure (of action or state).
| 1614 Selden Titles Hon. Ded. A iij, I call you not my Patron. Truth in my References, Likelyhood in my Coniectures, and the whole Composture shall be in steed of One. Ibid. i. vii. 150 Archt Crowns..as truly Imperiall as the Emperors, but differing in composture. 1671 Grew Anat. Plants i. v. §6 The first apparent Fould or Composture of the Leaves. 1888 Elworthy in W. Somerset Word-bk. |
b. concr. A composition.
2. Compost, manure.
| 1607 Shakes. Timon iv. iii. 444 The Earth's a Theefe, That feeds and breeds by a composture stolne From gen'rall excrement. |
▪ II. † comˈposture, v. Obs.
[f. prec.]
To manure.
| a 1618 Raleigh in Gutch Coll. Cur. I. 80 He shall have..the dung of the cattle, to muckle or composture his land. |