[com.pos.ite] adj [L compositus, pp. of componere] (1563) 1: made up of distinct parts: as a cap: relating to or being a modification of the Corinthian order combining angular Ionic volutes with the acanthus-circled bell of the Corinthian b: of or relating to a very large family (Compositae) of dicotyledonous herbs, shrubs, and trees often considered to be the most highly evolved plants and characterized by florets arranged in dense heads that resemble single flowers c: factorable into two or more prime factors other than 1 and itself "8 is a positive ~ integer"
2: combining the typical or essential characteristics of individuals making up a group "the ~ man called the Poet --Richard Poirier" 3 of a statistical hypothesis: specifying a range of values for one or more statistical parameters--compare simple
10. -- com.pos.ite.ly adv
[2]composite n (1656) 1: something composite: compound
2: a composite plant
3: composite function
4: a solid material which is composed of two or more substances having different physical characteristics and in which each substance retains its identity while contributing desirable properties to the whole; esp: a structural material made of plastic within which a fibrous material (as silicon carbide) is embedded [3]composite vt -it.ed ; -it.ing (1923): to make composite or into something composite "composited four soil samples"