n. & v.
n. 1 a mixed manure, esp. of organic origin. b a loam soil or other medium with added compost, used for growing plants. 2 a mixture of ingredients (a rich compost of lies and innuendo).
v.tr. 1 treat (soil) with compost. 2 make (manure, vegetable matter, etc.) into compost. compost heap (or pile) a layered structure of garden refuse, soil, etc., which decays to become compost.
[ ME f. OF composte f. L compos(i)tum (as COMPOSITE) ]