composed, ppl. a.
(kəmˈpəʊzd)
[f. compose v. + -ed1.]
† 1. Made up of parts; compound; composite.
| 1570 Billingsley Euclid vii. xiv. 186 A number composed, is that which some one number measureth. 1605 Verstegan Dec. Intell. viii. (1628) 242 Proper names beeing made of composed words. 1632 Lithgow Trav. ix. 392 It congealeth in huge..stones..like to the composed Cinders of a Smithes Forge. 1662 J. Chandler Van Helmont's Oriat. 97 This is the simple body of an Element; but, that is a composed body. 1728 R. Morris Ess. Anc. Archit. 54 The compos'd Order. 1801 tr. Klaproth's Ess. I. i, If a composed one, to know the parts of which it is composed. |
† b. Complicated, compounded. Obs.
| 1541 R. Copland Guydon's Formul. ii. S iv b, Woundes composed after the intencion of Galyen aforesayde. Ibid. T i, The woundes are sometyme composed with vnnatural mater..and fraudelent venymous fylthynes. |
† 2. Elaborately or well put together. Obs.
| 1591 Shakes. Two Gent. iii. ii. 69 Walefull Sonnets, whose composed Rimes Should be full fraught with seruiceable vowes. 1712 J. James tr. Le Blond's Gardening 22 A composed and elaborate Design will answer..better than one that is altogether plain and ordinary. Ibid. 63 A Bowling-green still more composed, and finer. |
† 3. Constituted, settled, established, confirmed.
| 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 360/4 This holy vyrgyne..was so composed in alle good maners. |
4. Of the face, bearing, etc.: Made calm or tranquil; properly adjusted, undisturbed by emotion; expressive of gravity or self-possession.
| 1607 Dekker Knts. Conjur. (1842) 67 A personage of so composed a presence, that nature and fortune had done him wrong if they had not made him a souldier. 1628 Earle Microcosm. liv. (Arb.) 76 A man..Of a compos'd and setled countenance. 1705 Addison Italy 46 In Spain..there is something still more serious and compos'd in the manner of the Inhabitants. a 1859 Macaulay Hist. Eng. (1861) V. 117 That stern and composed face. |
† b. Artificially ‘made up’ or adjusted. Obs.
| 1627 Lisander & Cal. v. 80 His countenance was not composed but naturall and without art. 1781 Gibbon Decl. & F. II. xviii. 97 Officers..with bended knees and a composed countenance, offered their respectful homage. |
5. Having one's feelings or passions under control; calm and self-possessed, tranquil. The opposite of excited, distracted.
| 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. ii. ii. v, He that will intend to take his rest must go to bed..with a secure and composed mind. a 1652 J. Smith Sel. Disc. iv. 104 Such calm and serene ideas of truth, that shine only in composed souls. 1724 Pope Epit. Mrs. Corbet 7 So unaffected, so composed a mind. 1727 ― Epit. R. Digby 3 Compos'd in suff'rings and in joy sedate. 1829 Scott Tales Grandf. (1841) Ser. iii. lxxxv. 453/1 Lord Kilmarnock was composed, though penitent, and prepared himself..for the terrible exit. 1862 Trollope Orley F. xiii. 103 When you are at home you will be more composed. |
6. Her. a. = componé. † b. arms composed: the addition by a gentleman to his own armorial bearings of a portion of those borne by his wife.
| 1727–51 Chambers Cycl., Componed or Composed, is also used in the general for a bordure, a pale, or a fess, composed of two different colours, or metals, disposed alternately. 1847 Gloss. Heraldry. |