First Known Use: 1563
Dictionary
1composite
adjective com·pos·ite \käm-ˈpä-zət, kəm-ˈ, especially British ˈkäm-pə-zit\
: made of different parts or elements
Full Definition of COMPOSITE
1
: made up of distinct parts: as a capitalized : 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 syn. Asteraceae) 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 composite integer>
2
: combining the typical or essential characteristics of individuals making up a group <the composite 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 adverb
See composite defined for English-language learners
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Origin of COMPOSITE
Latin compositus, past participle of componere
Related to COMPOSITE
- Synonyms
- amalgamated, compound
- Antonyms
- noncompound, simple
2composite
noun
: something that is made up of different parts
: a drawing of someone who is wanted by the police that is made using descriptions given by witnesses
Full Definition of COMPOSITE
1
: something composite : compound <a composite of two images>
2
: a composite plant
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; especially : a structural material made of plastic within which a fibrous material (as silicon carbide) is embedded
See composite defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of COMPOSITE
1656
Related to COMPOSITE
- Synonyms
- admixture, alloy, amalgam, amalgamation, cocktail, combination, blend, compound, conflation, emulsion, fusion, intermixture, meld, mix, mixture, synthesis
3composite
verb
composit·edcomposit·ing
Definition of COMPOSITE
transitive verb
: to make composite or into something composite <composited four soil samples> <composite the images>
First Known Use of COMPOSITE
1923
Related to COMPOSITE
- Synonyms
- amalgamate, combine, comingle, commingle, commix, blend, concrete, conflate, fuse, homogenize, immingle, immix, incorporate, integrate, interfuse, intermingle, intermix, meld, merge, mingle, mix
- Antonyms
- break down, break up, separate, unmix
COMPOSITED Defined for Kids
composite
adjective com·pos·ite \kəm-ˈpä-zət\
Definition of COMPOSITE for Kids
: made up of different parts or elements <Concrete is a composite material made up of cement, sand, stone, and water.>
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