All 32 Uses of
compose
in
Pride and Prejudice
- It was generally evident whenever they met, that he did admire her and to her it was equally evident that Jane was yielding to the preference which she had begun to entertain for him from the first, and was in a way to be very much in love; but she considered with pleasure that it was not likely to be discovered by the world in general, since Jane united, with great strength of feeling, a composure of temper and a uniform cheerfulness of manner which would guard her from the suspicions of the impertinent.†
p. 22.6composure = calm state of mind
- And, taking her hand, he would have given it to Mr. Darcy who, though extremely surprised, was not unwilling to receive it, when she instantly drew back, and said with some discomposure to Sir William: "Indeed, sir, I have not the least intention of dancing.†
p. 27.2discomposure = an unsettled state of mind (nervous or uncomfortable)standard prefix: The prefix "dis-" in discomposure reverses the meaning of composure. This is the same pattern as seen in words like disagree, disconnect, and disappear.
- He listened to her with perfect indifference while she chose to entertain herself in this manner; and as his composure convinced her that all was safe, her wit flowed long.†
p. 28.9 *composure = calm state of mind
- As for their mother, Mr. Collins's letter had done away much of her ill-will, and she was preparing to see him with a degree of composure which astonished her husband and daughters.†
p. 63.4
- His cousin was as absurd as he had hoped, and he listened to him with the keenest enjoyment, maintaining at the same time the most resolute composure of countenance, and, except in an occasional glance at Elizabeth, requiring no partner in his pleasure.†
p. 67.3
- Such doings discomposed Mr. Bennet exceedingly.†
p. 70.8discomposed = unsettled (made nervous or uncomfortable)standard prefix: The prefix "dis-" in discomposed reverses the meaning of composed. This is the same pattern as seen in words like disagree, disconnect, and disappear.
- She looked at Jane, to see how she bore it; but Jane was very composedly talking to Bingley.†
p. 98.7composedly = in a calm manner
- The idea of Mr. Collins, with all his solemn composure, being run away with by his feelings, made Elizabeth so near laughing, that she could not use the short pause he allowed in any attempt to stop him further, and he continued: "My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish; secondly, that I am convinced that it will add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly—which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honor of calling patroness.†
p. 103.5composure = calm state of mind
- The steady countenance which Miss Lucas had commanded in telling her story, gave way to a momentary confusion here on receiving so direct a reproach; though, as it was no more than she expected, she soon regained her composure, and calmly replied: "Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza?†
p. 122.8
- The evening was spent chiefly in talking over Hertfordshire news, and telling again what had already been written; and when it closed, Elizabeth, in the solitude of her chamber, had to meditate upon Charlotte's degree of contentment, to understand her address in guiding, and composure in bearing with, her husband, and to acknowledge that it was all done very well.†
p. 155.8
- Elizabeth found herself quite equal to the scene, and could observe the three ladies before her composedly.†
p. 159.2composedly = in a calm manner
- Elizabeth felt all the impertinence of her questions but answered them very composedly.†
p. 160.9
- Mr. Darcy looked just as he had been used to look in Hertfordshire—paid his compliments, with his usual reserve, to Mrs. Collins, and whatever might be his feelings toward her friend, met her with every appearance of composure.†
p. 166.9composure = calm state of mind
- He was struggling for the appearance of composure, and would not open his lips till he believed himself to have attained it.†
p. 186.4
- Elizabeth felt herself growing more angry every moment; yet she tried to the utmost to speak with composure when she said: "You are mistaken, Mr. Darcy, if you suppose that the mode of your declaration affected me in any other way, than as it spared the concern which I might have felt in refusing you, had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner."†
p. 188.5
- He had by that time reached it also, and, holding out a letter, which she instinctively took, said, with a look of haughty composure, "I have been walking in the grove some time in the hope of meeting you.†
p. 190.9
- He absolutely started, and for a moment seemed immovable from surprise; but shortly recovering himself, advanced towards the party, and spoke to Elizabeth, if not in terms of perfect composure, at least of perfect civility.†
p. 241.1
- Whether he had felt more of pain or of pleasure in seeing her she could not tell, but he certainly had not seen her with composure.†
p. 242.7
- She was quite amazed at her own discomposure; but amongst other causes of disquiet, she dreaded lest the partiality of the brother should have said too much in her favor; and, more than commonly anxious to please, she naturally suspected that every power of pleasing would fail her.†
p. 248.8discomposure = an unsettled state of mind (nervous or uncomfortable)standard prefix: The prefix "dis-" in discomposure reverses the meaning of composure. This is the same pattern as seen in words like disagree, disconnect, and disappear.
- Had Miss Bingley known what pain she was then giving her beloved friend, she undoubtedly would have refrained from the hint; but she had merely intended to discompose Elizabeth by bringing forward the idea of a man to whom she believed her partial, to make her betray a sensibility which might injure her in Darcy's opinion, and, perhaps, to remind the latter of all the follies and absurdities by which some part of her family were connected with that corps.†
p. 257.7discompose = unsettle (make nervous or uncomfortable)standard prefix: The prefix "dis-" in discompose reverses the meaning of compose. This is the same pattern as seen in words like disagree, disconnect, and disappear.
- I do not know of any other designs that he had formed; but he was in such a hurry to be gone, and his spirits so greatly discomposed, that I had difficulty in finding out even so much as this.†
p. 278.9discomposed = unsettled (made nervous or uncomfortable)standard prefix: The prefix "dis-" in discomposed reverses the meaning of composed. This is the same pattern as seen in words like disagree, disconnect, and disappear.
- When Mr. Bennet arrived, he had all the appearance of his usual philosophic composure.†
p. 283.8composure = calm state of mind
- The discomposure of spirits which this extraordinary visit threw Elizabeth into, could not be easily overcome; nor could she, for many hours, learn to think of it less than incessantly.†
p. 340.0discomposure = an unsettled state of mind (nervous or uncomfortable)standard prefix: The prefix "dis-" in discomposure reverses the meaning of composure. This is the same pattern as seen in words like disagree, disconnect, and disappear.
- Elizabeth's mind was now relieved from a very heavy weight; and, after half an hour's quiet reflection in her own room, she was able to join the others with tolerable composure.†
p. 357.4composure = calm state of mind
- He could even listen to Sir William Lucas, when he complimented him on carrying away the brightest jewel of the country, and expressed his hopes of their all meeting frequently at St. James's, with very decent composure.†
p. 363.0
- "In point of composition," said Mary, "the letter does not seem defective.†
p. 63.1
- The expression of his face changed gradually from indignant contempt to a composed and steady gravity.†
p. 98.1
- Charlotte herself was tolerably composed.†
p. 120.7
- She tried, however, to compose herself to answer him with patience, when he should have done.†
p. 185.7
- She retreated from the window, fearful of being seen; and as she walked up and down the room, endeavoring to compose herself, saw such looks of inquiring surprise in her uncle and aunt as made everything worse.†
p. 248.9 *
- She wanted to ascertain the feelings of each of her visitors; she wanted to compose her own, and to make herself agreeable to all; and in the latter object, where she feared most to fail, she was most sure of success, for those to whom she endeavored to give pleasure were prepossessed in her favor.†
p. 250.0
- She sat intently at work, striving to be composed, and without daring to lift up her eyes, till anxious curiosity carried them to the face of her sister as the servant was approaching the door.†
p. 316.6
Definitions:
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(1)
(compose as in: compose a poem) to write or create something with care -- especially music or a literary work, but could be other things as diverse as a plan or a letter
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(2)
(compose as in: composed of many parts) to create something by arranging parts; or to be those parts
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(3)
(compose as in: compose myself) to calm someone or settle something
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(4)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) Specialized senses of compose include typesetting (preparing text for printing). There are many specialized senses of composition where context tells what something is made up from. Finally, in classic literature, compose may have been used to indicate settling a dispute.