— comprisable , adj. — comprisal , n.
/keuhm pruyz"/ , v.t., comprised, comprising .
1. to include or contain: The Soviet Union comprised several socialist republics.
2. to consist of; be composed of: The advisory board comprises six members.
3. to form or constitute: Seminars and lectures comprised the day's activities.
4. be comprised of , to consist of; be composed of: The sales network is comprised of independent outlets and chain stores.
[ 1400-50; late ME comprisen compris (ptp. of comprendre ) comprehensus; see COMPREHENSION ]
Syn. 1. See include .
Usage . COMPRISE has had an interesting history of sense development. In addition to its original senses, dating from the 15th century, "to include" and "to consist of" ( The United States of America comprises 50 states ), COMPRISE has had since the late 18th century the meaning "to form or constitute" ( Fifty states comprise the United States of America ). Since the late 19th century it has also been used in passive constructions with a sense synonymous with that of one of its original meanings "to consist of, be composed of": The United States of America is comprised of 50 states. These later uses are often criticized, but they occur with increasing frequency even in formal speech and writing.