Chapter 61

Com"plex (k&obreve;m"pl&ebreve;ks), a. [L. complexus, p. p. of complecti to entwine around, comprise; com- + plectere to twist, akin to plicare to fold. See Plait, n.] 1. Composed of two or more parts; composite; not simple; as, a complex being; a complex idea.

Ideas thus made up of several simple ones put together, I call complex; such as beauty, gratitude, a man, an army, the universe. Locke.

2. Involving many parts; complicated; intricate.

When the actual motions of the heavens are calculated in the best possible way, the process is difficult and complex. Whewell.

Complex fraction. See Fraction. -- Complex number (Math.), in the theory of numbers, an expression of the form a + b√-1, when a and b are ordinary integers.

Syn. -- See Intricate.

Com"plex, n. [L. complexus] Assemblage of related things; collection; complication.

This parable of the wedding supper comprehends in it the whole complex of all the blessings and privileges exhibited by the gospel. South.

Complex of lines (Geom.), all the possible straight lines in space being considered, the entire system of lines which satisfy a single relation constitute a complex; as, all the lines which meet a given curve make up a complex. The lines which satisfy two relations constitute a congruency of lines; as, the entire system of lines, each one of which meets two given surfaces, is a congruency.

Com*plexed" (k&obreve;m*pl&ebreve;kst"), a. Complex, complicated. [Obs.] "Complexed significations." Sir T. Browne.

Com*plex"ed*ness (k&obreve;m*pl&ebreve;ks"&ebreve;d*n&ebreve;s), n. The quality or state of being complex or involved; complication.

The complexedness of these moral ideas. Locke.

Com*plex"ion (k&obreve;m*pl&ebreve;k"shŭn), n. [F. complexion, fr. L. complexio. See Complex, a.] 1. The state of being complex; complexity. [Obs.]

Though the terms of propositions may be complex, yet . . . it is properly called a simple syllogism, since the complexion does not belong to the syllogistic form of it. I. Watts.

2. A combination; a complex. [Archaic]

This paragraph is . . . a complexion of sophisms. Coleridge.

3. The bodily constitution; the temperament; habitude, or natural disposition; character; nature. [Obs.]

If his complexion incline him to melancholy. Milton.

It is the complexion of them all to leave the dam. Shak.

4. The color or hue of the skin, esp. of the face.

Tall was her stature, her complexion dark. Wordsworth.

Between the pale complexion of true love, And the red glow of scorn and proud disdain. Shak.

5. The general appearance or aspect; as, the complexion of the sky; the complexion of the news.

Com*plex"ion*al (-al), a. Of or pertaining to constitutional complexion.

A moral rather than a complexional timidity. Burke.

Com*plex"ion*al*ly, adv. Constitutionally. [R.]

Though corruptible, not complexionally vicious. Burke.

Com*plex"ion*a*ry (?), a. Pertaining to the complexion, or to the care of it. Jer. Taylor.

Com*plex"ioned (k&obreve;m*pl&ebreve;k"shŭnd), a. 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.

Com*plex"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Complexities (#). [Cf. F. complexitÚ.] 1. The state of being complex; intricacy; entanglement.

The objects of society are of the greatest possible complexity. Burke.

2. That which is complex; intricacy; complication.

Many-corridored complexities Of Arthur's palace. Tennyson.

Com"plex`ly (?), adv. In a complex manner; not simply.

Com"plex`ness, n. The state of being complex; complexity. A. Smith.

||Com*plex"us (?), n. [L., an embracing.] A complex; an aggregate of parts; a complication.

Com*pli"a*ble (?), a. Capable of bending or yielding; apt to yield; compliant.

Another compliable mind. Milton.

The Jews . . . had made their religion compliable, and accommodated to their passions. Jortin.

Com*pli"ance (?), n. [See Comply.] 1. The act of complying; a yielding; as to a desire, demand, or proposal; concession; submission.

What compliances will remove dissension? Swift.

Ready compliance with the wishes of his people. Macaulay.

2. A disposition to yield to others; complaisance.

A man of few words and of great compliance. Clarendon.

Syn. -- Concession; submission; consent; obedience; performance; execution; acquiescence; assent.

Com*pli"an*cy (?), n. Compliance; disposition to yield to others. Goldsmith.

Com*pli"ant (?), a. Yielding; bending; pliant; submissive. "The compliant boughs." Milton.

Com*pli"ant*ly, adv. In a compliant manner.

Com"pli*ca*cy (?), n. A state of being complicate or intricate. Mitford.

Com"pli*cant (?), a. [L. complicans, p. pr.] (Zo÷l.) Overlapping, as the elytra of certain beetles.

Com"pli*cate (?), a. [L. complicatus, p. p. of complicare to fold together. See Complex.] 1. Composed of two or more parts united; complex; complicated; involved.

How poor, how rich, how abject, how august, How complicate, how wonderful is man! Young.

2. (Bot.) Folded together, or upon itself, with the fold running lengthwise.

Com"pli*cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Complicated; p. pr. & vb. n. Complicating.] To fold or twist together; to combine intricately; to make complex; to combine or associate so as to make intricate or difficult.

Nor can his complicated sinews fail. Young.

Avarice and luxury very often become one complicated principle of action. Addison.

When the disease is complicated with other diseases. Arbuthnot.

Com"pli*cate*ly (?), adv. In a complex manner.

Com"pli*cate*ness, n. Complexity. Sir M. Hale.

Com`pli*ca"tion (?), n. [L. compliasion: cf. F. complication.] 1. The act or process of complicating; the state of being complicated; intricate or confused relation of parts; entanglement; complexity.

A complication of diseases. Macaulay.

Through and beyond these dark complications of the present, the New England founders looked to the great necessities of future times. Palfrey.

2. (Med.) A disease or diseases, or adventitious circumstances or conditions, coexistent with and modifying a primary disease, but not necessarily connected with it.

Com"plice (?), n.; pl. Complices (#). [F., fr. L. complex, - plicis, closely connected with one, confederate. See Complicate, and cf. Accomplice.] An accomplice. [Obs.]

To quell the rebels and their complices. Shak.

Com*plic"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Complicities (#). [F. complicitÚ.] The state of being an accomplice; participation in guilt.

Com*pli"er (?), n. One who complies, yields, or obeys; one of an easy, yielding temper. Swift.

Com"pli*ment (?), n. [F. compliment. It complimento, fr. comlire to compliment, finish, suit, fr. L. complere to fill up. See Complete, and cf. Complement.] An expression, by word or act, of approbation, regard, confidence, civility, or admiration; a flattering speech or attention; a ceremonious greeting; as, to send one's compliments to a friend.

Tedious waste of time, to sit and hear So many hollow compliments and lies. Milton.

Many a compliment politely penned. Cowper.

To make one a compliment, to show one respect; to praise one in a flattering way. Locke. -- To make one's compliments to, to offer formal courtesies to. -- To stand on compliment, to treat with ceremony.

Syn. -- See Adulation.

Com"pli*ment (?), v. t. To praise, flatter, or gratify, by expressions of approbation, respect, or congratulation; to make or pay a compliment to.

Monarchs should their inward soul disguise; . . . Should compliment their foes and shun their friends. Prior.

Syn. -- To praise; flatter; adulate; commend.

Com"pli*ment, v. i. To pass compliments; to use conventional expressions of respect.

I make the interlocutors, upon occasion, compliment with one another. Boyle.

Com`pli*men"tal (?), a. Complimentary. [Obs.]

Languages . . . grow rich and abundant in complimental phrases, and such froth. Sir H. Wotton.

-- Com`pli*men"tal*ly, adv. [Obs.] Boyle. -- Com`pli*men"tal*ness, n. [Obs.] Hammond.

Com`pli*men"ta*ry (?), a. Expressive of regard or praise; of the nature of, or containing, a compliment; as, a complimentary remark; a complimentary ticket. "Complimentary addresses." Prescott.

Com`pli*men"ta*tive (?), a. Complimentary. [R.] Boswell.

Com"pli*ment`er (?), n. One who compliments; one given to complimenting; a flatterer.

{ Com"pline, Com"plin } (?), n. [From OE. complie, OF. complie, F. complies, pl., fr. LL. completa (prop. fem. of L. completus) the religious exercise which completes and closes the service of the day. See Complete.] (Eccl.) The last division of the Roman Catholic breviary; the seventh and last of the canonical hours of the Western church; the last prayer of the day, to be said after sunset.

The custom of godly man been to shut up the evening with a compline of prayer at nine of the night. Hammond.

Com"plot (?), n. [F. complot, prob. for comploit, fr.L. complicitum, prop. p. p. of complicare, but equiv. to complicatio complication, entangling. See Complicate, and cf. Plot.] A plotting together; a confederacy in some evil design; a conspiracy.

I know their complot is to have my life. Shak.

Com*plot" (?), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Complotted; p. pr. & vb. n. Complotting.] [Cf. F. comploter, fr. complot.] To plot or plan together; to conspire; to join in a secret design.

We find them complotting together, and contriving a new scene of miseries to the Trojans. Pope.

Com*plot"ment (?), n. A plotting together. [R.]

Com*plot"ter (?), n. One joined in a plot. Dryden.

Com`plu*ten"sian (?), a. Of or pertaining to Complutum (now Alcala de Henares) a city near Madrid; as, the Complutensian Bible.

||Com*plu"vi*um (?), n. [L.] (Arch.) A space left unroofed over the court of a Roman dwelling, through which the rain fell into the impluvium or cistern.

Com*ply" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Complied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Complying.] [Perh. formed fr. compliment, influenced by ply, pliant, which are of different origin: cf. It. complire to compliment, finish, suit. See Compliment, Complete.] 1. To yield assent; to accord; agree, or acquiesce; to adapt one's self; to consent or conform; -- usually followed by with.

Yet this be sure, in nothing to comply, Scandalous or forbidden in our law. Milton.

They did servilely comply with the people in worshiping God by sensible images. Tillotson.

He that complies against his will Is of his own opinion still. Hudibras.

2. To be ceremoniously courteous; to make one's compliments. [Obs.] Shak.

Com*ply", v. t. [See comply, v. i.] 1. To fulfill; to accomplish. [Obs.] Chapman.

2. [Cf. L. complicare to fold up. See Ply.] To infold; to embrace. [Obs.]

Seemed to comply, Cloudlike, the daintie deitie. Herrick.

Com*pone" (-pōn"), v. t. [L. componere. See Compound.] To compose; to settle; to arrange. [Obs.]

A good pretense for componing peace. Strype.

||Com*po"ne (k&obreve;m*pō"n&asl;), a. [F.] See Compony.

Com*po"nent (k&obreve;m*pō"nent), a. [L. componens, p. pr. of componere. See Compound, v. t.] Serving, or helping, to form; composing; constituting; constituent.

The component parts of natural bodies. Sir I. Newton.

Com*po"nent, n. A constituent part; an ingredient.

Component of force (Mech.), a force which, acting conjointly with one or more forces, produces the effect of a single force or resultant; one of a number of forces into which a single force may be resolved.

{ Com*po"ny (?), ||Com*po"nÚ (?) }, a. [F. componÚ.] (Her.) Divided into squares of alternate tinctures in a single row; -- said of any bearing; or, in the case of a bearing having curved lines, divided into patches of alternate colors following the curve. If there are two rows it is called counter- compony.

Com*port" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Comported; p. pr. & vb. n. Comporting.] [F. comporter, LL. comportare, fr.L. comportare to bring together; com- + portare to carry. See Port demeanor.] 1. To bear or endure; to put up (with); as, to comport with an injury. [Obs.] Barrow.

2. To agree; to accord; to suit; -- sometimes followed by with.

How ill this dullness doth comport with greatness. Beau. & Fl.

How their behavior herein comported with the institution. Locke.

Com*port" (?), v. t. 1. To bear; to endure; to brook; to put with. [Obs.]

The malcontented sort That never can the present state comport. Daniel.

2. To carry; to conduct; -- with a reflexive pronoun.

Observe how Lord Somers . . . comported himself. Burke.

Com"port (?, formerly &?;), n. [Cf. OF. comport.] Manner of acting; behavior; conduct; deportment. [Obs.]

I knew them well, and marked their rude comport. Dryden.

Com*port"a*ble (?), a. Suitable; consistent. [Obs.] "Some comportable method." Wotton.

Com*port"ance (?), n. Behavior; comport. [Obs.]

Goodly comportance each to other bear. Spenser.

Com`por*ta"tion (?), n. [L. comportatio.] A bringing together. [Obs.] Bp. Richardson.

Com*port"ment (?), n. [F. comportement.] Manner of acting; behavior; bearing.

A graceful comportment of their bodies. Cowley.

Her serious and devout comportment. Addison.

Com*pose" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Composed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Composing.] [F. composer; com- + poser to place. The sense is that of L. componere, but the origin is different. See Pose, v. t.] 1. To form by putting together two or more things or parts; to put together; to make up; to fashion.

Zeal ought to be composed of the highest degrees of all pious affection. Bp. Sprat.

2. To form the substance of, or part of the substance of; to constitute.

Their borrowed gold composed The calf in Oreb. Milton.

A few useful things . . . compose their intellectual possessions. I. Watts.

3. To construct by mental labor; to design and execute, or put together, in a manner involving the adaptation of forms of expression to ideas, or to the laws of harmony or proportion; as, to compose a sentence, a sermon, a symphony, or a picture.

Let me compose Something in verse as well as prose. Pope.

The genius that composed such works as the "Standard" and "Last Supper". B. R. Haydon.

4. To dispose in proper form; to reduce to order; to put in proper state or condition; to adjust; to regulate.

In a peaceful grave my corpse compose. Dryden.

How in safety best we may Compose our present evils. Milton.

5. To free from agitation or disturbance; to tranquilize; to soothe; to calm; to quiet.

Compose thy mind; Nor frauds are here contrived, nor force designed. Dryden.

6. (Print.) To arrange (types) in a composing stick in order for printing; to set (type).

Com*pose", v. i. To come to terms. [Obs.] Shak.

Com*posed" (?), a. Free from agitation; calm; sedate; quiet; tranquil; self- possessed.

The Mantuan there in sober triumph sate, Composed his posture, and his look sedate. Pope.

-- Com*pos"ed*ly (&?;), adv. -- Com*pos"ed*ness, n.

Com*pos"er (?), n. 1. One who composes; an author. Specifically, an author of a piece of music.

If the thoughts of such authors have nothing in them, they at least . . . show an honest industry and a good intention in the composer. Addison.

His [Mozart's] most brilliant and solid glory is founded upon his talents as a composer. Moore (Encyc. of Mus.).

2. One who, or that which, quiets or calms; one who adjusts a difference.

Sweet composers of the pensive soul. Gay.

Com*pos"ing, a. 1. Tending to compose or soothe.

2. 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 rule. -- Composing stick (Print.), an instrument usually of metal, which the compositor holds in his left hand, and in which he arranges the type in words and lines. It has one open side, and one adjustable end by means of which the length of the lines, and consequently the width of the page or column, may be determined.

||Com*pos"i*tŠ (?), n. pl. [NL., from L. compositus made up of parts. See Composite.] (Bot.) A large family of dicotyledonous plants, having their flowers arranged in dense heads of many small florets and their anthers united in a tube. The daisy, dandelion, and asters, are examples.

Com*pos"ite (?; 277), a. [L. compositus made up of parts, p. p. of componere. See Compound, v. t., and cf. Compost.] 1. Made up of distinct parts or elements; compounded; as, a composite language.

Happiness, like air and water . . . is composite. Landor.

2. (Arch.) Belonging to a certain order which is composed of the Ionic order grafted upon the Corinthian. It is called also the Roman or the Italic order, and is one of the five orders recognized by the Italian writers of the sixteenth century. See Capital.

3. (Bot.) Belonging to the order CompositŠ; bearing involucrate heads of many small florets, as the daisy, thistle, and dandelion.

Composite carriage, a railroad car having compartments of different classes. [Eng.] -- Composite number (Math.), one which can be divided exactly by a number exceeding unity, as 6 by 2 or 3.. -- Composite photograph or portrait, one made by a combination, or blending, of several distinct photographs. F. Galton. -- Composite sailing (Naut.), a combination of parallel and great circle sailing. -- Composite ship, one with a wooden casing and iron frame.

Com*pos"ite (?; 277), n. That which is made up of parts or compounded of several elements; composition; combination; compound. [R.]

Com`po*si"tion (?), n. [F. composition, fr. L. compositio. See Composite.] 1. The act or art of composing, or forming a whole or integral, by placing together and uniting different things, parts, or ingredients. In specific uses: (a) The invention or combination of the parts of any literary work or discourse, or of a work of art; as, the composition of a poem or a piece of music. "The constant habit of elaborate composition." Macaulay. (b) (Fine Arts) The art or practice of so combining the different parts of a work of art as to produce a harmonious whole; also, a work of art considered as such. See 4, below. (c) The act of writing for practice in a language, as English, Latin, German, etc. (d) (Print.) The setting up of type and arranging it for printing.

2. The state of being put together or composed; conjunction; combination; adjustment.

View them in composition with other things. I. Watts.

The elementary composition of bodies. Whewell.

3. A mass or body formed by combining two or more substances; as, a chemical composition.

A composition that looks . . . like marble. Addison.

4. A literary, musical, or artistic production, especially one showing study and care in arrangement; -- often used of an elementary essay or translation done as an educational exercise.

5. Consistency; accord; congruity. [Obs.]

There is no composition in these news That gives them credit. Shak.

6. Mutual agreement to terms or conditions for the settlement of a difference or controversy; also, the terms or conditions of settlement; agreement.

Thus we are agreed: I crave our composition may be written. Shak.

7. (Law) The adjustment of a debt, or avoidance of an obligation, by some form of compensation agreed on between the parties; also, the sum or amount of compensation agreed upon in the adjustment.

Compositions for not taking the order of knighthood. Hallam.

Cleared by composition with their creditors. Blackstone.

8. Synthesis as opposed to analysis.

The investigation of difficult things by the method of analysis ought ever to precede the method of composition. Sir I. Newton.

Composition cloth, a kind of cloth covered with a preparation making it waterproof. -- Composition deed, an agreement for composition between a debtor and several creditors. -- Composition plane (Crystallog.), the plane by which the two individuals of a twin crystal are united in their reserved positions. -- Composition of forces (Mech.), the finding of a single force (called the resultant) which shall be equal in effect to two or more given forces (called the components) when acting in given directions. Herbert. -- Composition metal, an alloy resembling brass, which is sometimes used instead of copper for sheathing vessels; -- also called Muntz metal and yellow metal. -- Composition of proportion (Math.), an arrangement of four proportionals so that the sum of the first and second is to the second as the sum of the third and fourth to the fourth.

Com*pos"i*tive (?), a. [L. compositivus.] Having the quality of entering into composition; compounded. [R.]

Com*pos"i*tor (?), n. [L., an arranger.] 1. One who composes or sets in order.

2. (Print.) One who sets type and arranges it for use.

Com*pos"i*tous (?), a. (Bot.) Belonging to the CompositŠ; composite. [R.] Darwin.

Com*pos"si*ble (?), a. [Pref. com- + possible.] Able to exist with another thing; consistent. [R.] Chillingworth.

Com"post (?; 277), n.[OF. compost, fr. L. compositus, p. p. See Composite.] 1. A mixture; a compound. [R.]

A sad compost of more bitter than sweet. Hammond.

2. (Agric.) 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.

Com"post, v. t. 1. To manure with compost.

2. To mingle, as different fertilizing substances, in a mass where they will decompose and form into a compost.

Com*pos"ture (?; 135), n. [L. compositura, -postura, a joining.] Manure; compost. [Obs.] Shak.

Com*po"sure (?), n. [From Compose.] 1. 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.

2. Orderly adjustment; disposition. [Obs.]

Various composures and combinations of these corpuscles. Woodward.

3. Frame; make; temperament. [Obs.]

His composure must be rare indeed Whom these things can not blemish. Shak.

4. A settled state; calmness; sedateness; tranquillity; repose. "We seek peace and composure." Milton.

When the passions . . . are all silent, the mind enjoys its most perfect composure. I. Watts.

5. A combination; a union; a bond. [Obs.] Shak.

Com`po*ta"tion (?), n. [L. compotatio; com- + potare to drink.] The act of drinking or tippling together. [R.]

The fashion of compotation. Sir W. Scott.

Com"po*ta`tor (?), n. [L.] One who drinks with another. [R.] Pope.

||Com"pote (?), n. [F. See Compost.] A preparation of fruit in sirup in such a manner as to preserve its form, either whole, halved, or quartered; as, a compote of pears. LittrÚ.

||Com"pound (k&obreve;m"pound), n. [Malay kompung a village.] In the East Indies, an inclosure containing a house, outbuildings, etc.

Com*pound" (k&obreve;m*pound"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Compounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Compounding.] [OE. componen, compounen, L. componere, compositum; com-+ ponere to put set. The d is excrescent. See Position, and cf. ComponÚ.] 1. To form or make by combining different elements, ingredients, or parts; as, to compound a medicine.

Incapacitating him from successfully compounding a tale of this sort. Sir W. Scott.

2. To put together, as elements, ingredients, or parts, in order to form a whole; to combine, mix, or unite.

We have the power of altering and compounding those images into all the varieties of picture. Addison.

3. To modify or change by combination with some other thing or part; to mingle with something else.

Only compound me with forgotten dust. Shak.

4. To compose; to constitute. [Obs.]

His pomp and all what state compounds. Shak.