Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Made up of various distinct parts or elements: Describes something that is formed by combining separate components.
   • Belonging to the plant family Compositae (Asteraceae): Relating to a large family of flowering plants, such as daisies or sunflowers, characterized by flower heads composed of many small florets.

2. Noun:

   • A thing made up of several parts or elements: A whole formed by the combination of separate, often diverse, components.
   • A plant of the family Compositae: A flowering plant belonging to the family Asteraceae, which is considered highly evolved, with florets arranged in dense heads that resemble single flowers.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The material is a composite substance of plastic and wood fibers.
  • Dandelions and daisies are examples of composite flowers.

• Noun:

  • The new building material is a composite of carbon fiber and resin.
  • The mural was a composite of hundreds of individual photographs.

Advanced Usage

• Composite number (Mathematics): A positive integer that has at least one positive divisor other than one or itself (e.g., 4, 6, 8, 9).

  • 15 is a composite number because it can be divided by 3 and 5.

• Composite function (Mathematics): A function formed by applying one function to the results of another.

  • In calculus, you often need to find the derivative of a composite function.

Variants and Related Words

• Composition (n): The act of combining parts or elements to form a whole; the resulting mixture or structure.

  • The composition of the alloy is a trade secret.

• Compositeness (n): The state or quality of being composite.

  • The compositeness of the material gives it unique properties.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Combined, compound, blended, amalgamated.
• Noun: Amalgam, blend, mixture, hybrid, combination.

Related Phrases

• Composite image: A single picture created by digitally combining multiple images.

  • The police released a composite image of the suspect.

• Composite material: An engineered material made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different properties.

  • Fiberglass is a common composite material used in boats.

Related Idioms

• A composite of: A phrase used to describe something that is representative of a whole, made from typical parts.
  • The character in the novel is a composite of several historical figures.

Adjective

1. of or relating to or belonging to the plant family Compositae
2. consisting of separate interconnected parts

Noun

1. considered the most highly evolved dicotyledonous plants, characterized by florets arranged in dense heads that resemble single flowers
2. a conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts
   • the complex of shopping malls, houses, and roads created a new town