comprise

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Verb 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Translations 1.3.3 Related terms 1.3.4 External links 2 French 2.1 Verb

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

< Old French compris, pp. of comprendre < Latin comprehendere, contr. comprendere, pp. comprehensus (“‘to comprehend’”); see comprehend. Cf. apprise, reprise, surprise.

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /kəmˈpɹaɪz/, SAMPA: /k@m"praIz/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Verb

to comprise (third-person singular simple present comprises, present participle comprising, simple past and past participle comprised)

1. To be made up of; to consist of (esp. a comprehensive list of parts). [from earlier 15th c.]

   The whole comprises the parts.

   The parts are comprised by the whole.

2. To include, contain or embrace. [from earlier 15th c.]

   Our committee comprises a president, secretary, treasurer and five other members.

3. (informal, traditionally considered incorrect) To compose. See usage note below.

   A team is comprised of its members.

4. (patents) To include, contain or embrace, but not implying an exhaustive list.

[edit] Usage notes

The most recent usages, 3 and 4 above, whereby the passive form effectively means “the members comprise the team”, is usually informal and often considered incorrect. By the strictest definition, a team comprises its members, whereas the members compose the team. There is no need to use comprise in place of compose. With regard to journalistic writing, the Associated Press Stylebook maintains this distinction.

However, this usage is not universally regarded as incorrect. According to Webster's Dictionary, the usage dates back to the late 18th century, when it was usually found in technical writing. Webster's indicates that this usage is becoming increasingly common in nontechnical literature, while American Heritage Dictionary and Random House Dictionary state that it is an increasingly frequent and accepted usage.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Related terms

• comprehensive

[edit] External links

• comprise in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• comprise in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

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[edit] French

[edit] Verb

comprise f.

1. Feminine past participle of comprendre.