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.
Phrases and idioms:
compost heap (or pile) a layered structure of garden refuse, soil, etc., which decays to become compost.
Etymology: ME f. OF composte f. L compos(i)tum (as COMPOSITE)