I. (ˈ)käm|päzə̇t, kəmˈp-, usu -ə̇d.+V; Brit usually ˈkämpəz- adjective
Etymology: Latin compositus, past participle of componere to put together, from com- + ponere to put, place — more at position
: made up of distinct parts : compounded
a composite racial type
composite material
the knight was a composite portrait of men whom Chaucer personally knew — J.L.Lowes
a. usually capitalized : belonging to or being a modification of the Corinthian order introduced in Roman imperial times by combining angular Ionic volutes with the acanthus-circled bell of the Corinthian
b. : belonging to, having the characteristics of, or being a member of the family Compositae
a composite inflorescence
c. of a number or an algebraic expression : made up of two or more integral or real rational prime factors (as 12.2×2×3; a 3 -b 3 .(a-b) (a 2 +ab+b 2 ) — compare prime
d. of a ship : built with a metal framework and wooden keel, planking, and deck
• com·pos·ite·ly adverb
II. noun
( -s )
1. : something that is made up of diverse elements: as
a. : compound 1a, 1b
b. : a fingerprint in which elements of varied types (as the arch, loop, and whorl) are combined
c. : a pictorial composition in which two or more images are combined or worked together ; specifically : a composition that fuses different images so that only selected parts of each are revealed in one harmonious formal relationship
d. or composite can : a container having a fiber body and one or more commonly both ends of metal
2. : a plant of the family Compositae
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to make composite or into something composite
IV. adjective
of a statistical hypothesis : specifying a range of values for one or more statistical parameters — compare simple herein
V. noun
1. : 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
dental composites
especially : a structural material made of plastic within which a fibrous material (as silicon carbide) is embedded
2. : something made from a composite