Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Compose \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).

Composing \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.

Source : WordNet®

composing
     n 1: the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts
          in relation to each other and to the whole; "harmonious
          composition is essential in a serious work of art" [syn:
           {composition}]
     2: musical creation [syn: {composition}]