I. A putting together, compounding, connecting, arranging, composition, adjustment, etc.
A. Prop.: “unguentorum,” Cic. N. D. 2, 58, 146: “membrorum,” id. ib. 1, 18, 47.—Fig.: “varia sonorum,” Cic. Tusc. 1, 18, 41: “rerum,” id. Off. 1, 40, 142: “magistratuum,” id. Leg. 3, 5, 12: “medicamentorum,” Sen. Ep. 8, 2: “remediorum,” id. Ben. 4, 28, 4.—Hence,
2. Esp., concr., in medic. lang., a compound, mixture, Cels. 5, 26 fin.; 6, 6, 16; Plin. 23, 8, 77, § 149; Veg. 1, 17, 16. Thus the title of a writing of Scribonius: Compositiones medicae.—
B. Trop.
1. A connection, coherence, system: “disciplinae,” Cic. Fin. 3, 22, 74.—
2. A drawing up in writing, composition: “juris pontificalis,” Cic. Leg. 2, 22, 55.—
b. Κατ̓ ἐξοχήν, a proper connection in style and position of words, arrangement, disposition: “compositio apta,” Cic. de Or. 3, 52, 200: “tota servit gravitati vocum aut suavitati,” id. Or. 54, 182; cf. id. Brut. 88, 303; Auct. Her. 4, 12, 18: “lege Ciceronem: conpositio ejus una est, pedem servat lenta,” Sen. Ep. 100, 7; 114, 15; in Quint. very freq.; cf. the 4th chap. of the 9th book: De compositione.—
II. A laying together for preservation, a laying up of fruits, Col. 12, 26, 6; 12, 51, 1; in plur.: “rerum auctumnalium,” id. 12, 44, 1.—
B. Trop., a peaceful union, an accommodation of a difference, an agreement, compact: “pacis, concordiae, compositionis auctor esse non destiti,” Cic. Phil. 2, 10, 24; id. Rosc. Am. 12, 33; Caes. ap Cic. Att. 9, 13, A, 1; Caes. B. C. 1, 26; 1, 32; 3, 15 fin.; Dig. 28, 16, 6.—
III. A bringing together or matching of combatants: “gladiatorum,” Cic. Fam. 2, 8, 1.