1. Made up of distinct components; compound.
2. Mathematics. Having factors; factorable.
3. Botany. Of, belonging to, or characteristic of the composite family.
4. Composite Architecture. Of, relating to, or being in the Composite order.

1. A structure or an entity made up of distinct components. See synonyms at mixture.
2. A complex material, such as wood or fiberglass, in which two or more distinct, structurally complementary substances, especially metals, ceramics, glasses, and polymers, combine to produce structural or functional properties not present in any individual component.
3. Botany. A composite plant.
4. Mathematics. The application of one function to another. For example, if ƒ(x) = x² and g(x) = x + 1, then the composite ƒ(g(x)) = (x + 1)² and the composite g(ƒ(x)) = x² + 1.

[French, from Old French, from Latin compositus, past participle of compōnere, to put together. See component.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.