1com;pos;ite pronunciation: function: adjective etymology: latin compositus, past participle of componeredate: 1563 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 lt;8 is a positive composite integergt; 2 : combining the typical or essential characteristics of individuals making up a group lt;the composite man called the poet — richard poiriergt;3 of a statistical hypothesis : specifying a range of values for one or more statistical parameters — compare simple 10— com;pos;ite;ly adverb