in general, denotes something compounded, or made up of several others united together; thus,

COMPOSITE Numbers, are such as can be measured exactly by a number exceeding unity; as 6 by 2 or 3, or 10 by 5, &c., so that 4 is the lowest composite number. Composite numbers, between themselves, are those which have some common measure besides unity; as 12 and 15, as being both measured by 3.

COMPOSITE Order, in Architecture, the last of the five orders of columns; so called because its capital is composed out of those of the other columns, borrowing a quarter round from the Tuscan and Doric, a row of leaves from the Corinthian, and volutes from the Ionic. It is also called the Roman or Iulic order, as having been invented by the Romans. By most authors it is ranked after the Corinthian, either as being the next richest, or the last invented. See Architecture, No. 48.