composite

comparative more composite · superlative most composite

1. Made up of multiple components; compound or complex.

   1 more example

   The line then falls on a gradient of 1 in 102 to the point at Windmill Lane, known locally as the "Three Bridges," where there is a composite crossing of road, canal and railway, all at the same point. The road is carried over the canal by an orthodox-style bridge, the canal being contained in a cast-iron trough, 8 ft. deep, which passes at an acute angle over the railway. (This arrangement at Southall remains the same in 2026)

   1960 February 28, R. K. Kirkland, “The Great Western and Brentford Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 81

2. architectureBeing a mixture of Ionic and Corinthian styles.
3. mathematicsHaving factors other than itself and one; not prime and not one.
4. biologyBelonging to the Asteraceae family (formerly known as Compositae), bearing involucrate heads of many small florets.

   Synonyms: asteracean

5. historicalartsEmploying multiple exposures on a single plate, so as to create an average view of something, such as faces in physiognomy.

   composite portraiture; a composite photograph

   1 more example

   [B]y photographing a number of faces on the same plate, and so superimposing their images on one another, he produces a so-called "composite" photograph or image.

   1920, Edward Carpenter, Pagan and Christian Creeds, New York: Harcourt, Brace and Co., page 92

plural composites

1. A mixture of different components.
2. A structural material that gains its strength from a combination of complementary materials.
3. biologyA plant belonging to the family Asteraceae, syn. Compositae.
4. mathematicsA function of a function.
5. abbreviationclippingmathematicsClipping of composite number.
6. governmentA drawing, photograph, etc. that combines several separate pictures or images.
7. UKrail transportA railway carriage with compartments for two different classes of travel; see Composite Corridor.

   The units are made up as either: [...] Trailer composite—4 first-class compartments—24 seats; and 3 second-class compartments—24 seats, [...] A total of 40 vehicles are to be built, Ten of each type of power car, ten trailer composites, five trailer seconds and five trailer second/buffets.

   1963 April, “New Inter-City diesel multiple-units for W.R.”, in Modern Railways, page 266

8. fraternitiesA framed photo board composed of many individual photos of fraternity or sorority members.
9. school yearbookThe separate pages of individual student photos that form the main section.
10. uncommonA segment, subset.

    Insurance as an industry is a major composite of the financial sector of any economy all over the world, Nigeria inclusive.

    2019, J. M. Odachi, S. E. Okon, “Organisational Culture and Perception of Service Quality among Employees in the Insurance Industry in Nigeria”, in UNILAG Journal of Humanities, volume 7, number 2, page 160

    1 more example

    […] likely give offense to conscience or moral feelings or shock the sense of decency or propriety in a substantial composite of the general public

    1991 December 1, Jacob Smith Yang, quoting U.S. Trademark Office, “Old Glory Condoms Denied Patent”, in Gay Community News, volume 19, number 20, page 2

present singular third person composites · participle present compositing · participle past composited · past composited

1. To make a composite.

   I composited an image using computer software.