Reading Theme:
Composition: Definition, Usage & Common Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：written work (composition)
composition
/ˌkɒmpəˈzɪʃən/
n.
A piece of writing you create for school, like an essay or story.
written work
➕
/ˈrɪtən wɜːrk/
n.
A piece of writing created as an assignment, typically in an educational context, such as an essay or story.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Latin: com- (together) + ponere (to place) + -tion (noun suffix indicating action or result).
💡 Mnemonic
Like a composer puts notes together, a composition puts words or parts together.
📖 Example
For homework, we have to write a 500-word composition about protecting the environment.
This sentence describes a homework task requiring a written piece on environmental protection.
🔗 Collocations
write a composition – to produce a written assignment
hand in a composition – to submit a written work for evaluation
grade a composition – to assess a student's writing
🔄 Synonyms
essay (n.) – a short piece of writing on a specific subject
paper (n.) – a written work, often in academic settings
assignment (n.) – a task given to someone, especially in education
🚫 Antonyms
oral report (n.) – a spoken presentation instead of written work
🌱 Derivatives
compose (v.) – to create or write something, such as text or music
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'compositio', meaning 'a putting together'. Entered English in the 14th century, initially referring to arrangement of parts, later expanding to writing, music, and material makeup. Now common in academic and scientific discourse.
Meaning 2：elemental makeup (composition)
composition
/ˌkɒmpəˈzɪʃən/
n.
What something is made of and how those parts are arranged.
elemental makeup
➕
/ˌelɪˈmentəl ˈmeɪkʌp/
n.
The combination and arrangement of parts or elements that form something, such as in materials or substances.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Scientists analyzed the chemical composition of the air in the forest and found it exceptionally clean.
This example shows scientific analysis of the air's chemical structure in a forest setting.
🔗 Collocations
chemical composition – the elements and compounds that constitute a substance
composition of – the makeup or structure of a particular thing
analyze the composition – to examine the parts and their arrangement in something
🔄 Synonyms
makeup (n.) – the combination of components that form something
constitution (n.) – the way in which something is composed or formed
structure (n.) – the arrangement of and relations between parts
🚫 Antonyms
disintegration (n.) – the process of breaking into separate parts
🌱 Derivatives
composite (adj.) – made up of various parts or elements
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