comprisev.
/kəmˈprʌɪz/, U.S. /kəmˈpraɪz/Many of the early passages in which this word occurs are so vague that it is difficult to gather the exact sense.† 1. † b. Scottish. To seize under legal authority, ‘attach’.† 2. † b. ? To hold or bear in mind. Obsolete. rare.† c. intransitive with of. Obsolete.† 7. To put together, draw up, compose (a treatise). Obsolete.
a. To lay hold on, take, catch, seize. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > seizing > seize [verb (transitive)]
gripea900
afangOE
to lay hands (or hand) on or upon (also in, to)OE
repeOE
atfonga1000
keepc1000
fang1016
kip1297
seize1338
to seize on or upon1399
to grip toc1400
rapc1415
to rap and rendc1415
comprise1423
forsetc1430
grip1488
to put (one's) hand(s) on (also in, to, unto, upon)1495
compass1509
to catch hold1520
hap1528
to lay hold (up)on, of1535
seisin?c1550
cly1567
scratch1582
attach1590
asseizea1593
grasp1642
to grasp at1677
collar1728
smuss1736
get1763
pin1768
grabble1796
bag1818
puckerow1843
nobble1877
jump1882
snaffle1902
snag1962
pull1967
1423 Kingis Quair xxviii Quhat was the cause that he [me] more comprisit Than othir folk to lyve in suich ruyne?
c1440 W. Hylton Scala Perfeccionis (1494) iii. xxviii The sercher..shal be ouerlayd & comprysed of hymselfe.
1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. ccxxvii. 710 And the frenche kynge to comprise to his agreement his sonne in lawe [et prendroit le roy de france sur luy son filz].
1592 R. Greene Poems (1856) 129 He could with counsels commonwealths comprise.
ΚΠ
c1575 [see comprised adj. at Derivatives].
1609 J. Skene tr. Regiam Majestatem 87 The Kings officiars, in the end of the market, sall cause the said cattell to be comprised..be leill men..vntill the summe of the debt.
1621 Sc. Acts Jas. VI c. 6 ⁋1 That summe of money for the which the sayde Landes are comprised.
1637 S. Rutherford Lett. (1863) I. cxxxiii. 322 I will think it no bondage to be rouped, comprised, and possessed by Christ as His bondman.
a. To ‘take in’ (mentally), perceive, comprehend, conceive. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [verb (transitive)]
yknoweOE
acknowOE
anyeteOE
latchc1000
undernimc1000
understandc1000
underyetec1000
afindOE
knowOE
seeOE
onfangc1175
takec1175
underfindc1200
underfonga1300
undertakea1300
kenc1330
gripea1340
comprehend1340
comprendc1374
espyc1374
perceivea1387
to take for ——?1387
catcha1398
conceivea1398
intenda1400
overtakea1400
tenda1400
havec1405
henta1450
comprise1477
skilla1500
brook1548
apprend1567
compass1576
perstanda1577
endue1590
sound1592
engrasp1593
in1603
fathom1611
resent1614
receivea1616
to take up1617
apprehend1631
to take in1646
grasp1680
understumblec1681
forstand1682
savvy1686
overstand1699
uptake1726
nouse1779
twig1815
undercumstand1824
absorb1840
sense1844
undercumstumble1854
seize1855
intelligize1865
dig1935
read1956
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 55 By al that I see & comprise in you, hit semeth not..that ye be seke.
1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. biijv/2 Whan one spake to hym, he remembred the manere for to compryse thentencyon of the spekar.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. John 3 a What is he that canne by very imaginacion comprise how that God the father..doeth continually beget God the sonne?
1563 J. Man tr. W. Musculus Common Places Christian Relig. 372 a It is very hard to comprise, and much harder to expresse the nature of Godde.
1680 H. More Apocalypsis Apocalypseos 198 A name..that no man knew but himself..he alone that is it, being able to comprize it.
ΚΠ
a1529 J. Skelton Howe Douty Duke of Albany in Wks. (1568) sig. G.iiiv In his mynde to comprise Those wordes his grace dyd saye Of an ammas gray.
ΚΠ
1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde i. v. 20 Witte & raison for to serche and compryse of thinges of therthe.
3.
a. To bring together and comprehend or include, esp. in a treatise.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > a written composition > a compilation > compile (a work) [verb (transitive)] > materials for a work
gathera1000
compilec1425
comprisec1425
c1425 Wyntoun Cron. ix. xx. 44 Of þis matere..I hard said on sa mony wys, That al I couth noucht weil compris.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cxlixv They condescended to compryse the whole matter in wryting.
1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1592/1 That some fauourer of learned mens fame, would comprise their names and works in a particular volume.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 290 Whose..vertues, if in verse I now should take in hand For to comprize.
b. esp. To comprehend compendiously; to sum up.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > narration > description or act of describing > describe [verb (transitive)] > sum up
comprehendc1369
concludec1405
resume?a1425
recapitle?a1439
recapitule1489
comprisea1533
recapitulate1556
compendiate1614
anacephalize1654
subsumea1677
summarize1808
sum-totalize1837
recap1911
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. X.ij In a monethe a man might recken all the stones..but in a M. yeres he myght not comprise the malices of hi[r] yll customes.
1548 T. Cranmer Catechismus sig. Tiijv The prayer of the Lorde..conteyneth..great and weyghty matters, suche as neyther aungell nor man..was able so pitheli to comprise in so few wordes.
1795 W. Paley View Evidences Christianity (ed. 3) II. ii. ii. 54 The necessity..of comprising what he delivered within a small compass.
1858 Parl. Deb. 3rd Ser. 151 352 There is far more in it..than any man..can comprise at all within the compass of a speech of ordinary length.
c. To comprehend or include under or in a class or denomination.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > condition or state of being inclusive > include [verb (transitive)] > in a class, description, or reckoning
accounta1464
lap1552
include1575
shroud1593
comprise1597
list1622
classicate1654
classa1658
distribute1664
to run over ——1724
immerse1734
group1759
compute1818
classify1854
count1857
to ring in1916
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lviii. 129 We vse..vnder the name of their substance not only to comprise that whereof they outwardly..consist, but also the secret grace.
1752 S. Johnson Rambler No. 194. ⁋4 This knowledge [of the world] she comprises in the rules of visiting, the history of the present hour, an early intelligence of the change of fashions, etc.
1853 C. Brontë Villette I. viii. 141 In her own single person, she could have comprised the duties of a first minister and a superintendent of police.
4. Of things material:† a. To take in within its space; to enclose, to hold. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being internal > containing or having within > contain or have within [verb (transitive)]
holdc1000
takec1175
keep1340
harbour1362
containa1382
comprehend1393
comprise1483
carry1517
house1542
refrain1542
to fetch in1565
enharbour1596
inhold1614
reserve1614
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 221/4 Al the world myght not haue comprysed hym.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. ccxl. f. clxiiv Uiii fote of Grounde nowe hath my Body comprysed.
1621 H. Elsynge Notes Deb. House of Lords (1870) 105 The amendements cannot be comprised in the parchement. They have newe wrytten yt.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica vi v.
1647 H. More Philos. Poems i.iii. xxxviii But smoreing filth so close it doth comprize That it cannot flame out.
b. To contain, as parts making up the whole, to consist of (the parts specified).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > be composed of or consist of [verb (transitive)] > contain as a constituent part > specifically of material things
haveOE
comprise1481
1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde i. iv. 16 The fourme of the world and the facyon after that it conteyneth and compriseth.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. iv. §4 The three walls of the City in which the three chief parts of it were comprized.
1868 W. Peard Pract. Water-farming xiii. 130 The works..comprise four ponds for fish.
1891 N.E.D. at Comprise Mod. Advt. The house comprises box-room, nine bed-rooms, bath-room, etc.
c. To extend so as to contain, to extend to; to cover a space or time.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > extend [verb (transitive)] > extend to
containc1374
to run to ——1528
comprise?1541
environ1596
the world > time > duration > have duration [verb (transitive)] > reach or extend over a period of time
containc1374
span1624
cover1863
comprise1870
?1541 R. Copland Guy de Chauliac's Questyonary Cyrurgyens ii. sig. Civ A corde that..compriseth all the elbow and moeueth the lytell arme.
1856 A. P. Stanley Sinai & Palestine (1858) v. 255 The first division of this plain, which comprised the territory of the ancient Philistines.
1870 F. M. Müller Sci. Relig. (1873) 49 The registers..which comprised a period of 200,000 years.
5. Of things immaterial:
a. To take in or include; as opposed to leaving out.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > condition or state of being inclusive > include [verb (transitive)]
comprehend1393
includec1475
comprise1651
embrace1697
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > incorporation or inclusion > incorporate or include [verb (transitive)]
beclipc1230
beshut1340
contain1340
comprehendc1374
continue1377
begripe1393
close1393
incorpor1398
conceive?c1400
includec1475
engrossa1500
complect1523
conclude?1523
employ1528
to take in1534
retain1577
surmise1578
imprehend1590
immerse1605
comprise1651
involve1651
complexa1657
embrace1697
incorporate1824
embody1847
cover1868
1651 R. Baxter Plain Script. Proof Infants Church-membership & Baptism 67 The term [seed of God] doth comprize Infants.
1823 J. Thacher Mil. Jrnl. 79 [To] Comprize all the cases.
b. To embrace as its contents, matter, or subject.
ΚΠ
1765 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. I. 354 Such subsequent parts of these commentaries, as will..comprize almost every object of the justices' jurisdiction.
1788 J. Priestley Lect. Hist. iii. xiii. 102 The third division of our subject..comprizes what is necesary..to be known previous to the study of history.
1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) xv. 155 The word politics..comprises, in itself, a difficult study of no inconsiderable magnitude.
6. passive. To be included, embraced, comprehended:
a. in (or within) a document or its scope, in a class, or group.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > condition or state of being inclusive > be included in something [verb (intransitive)]
comprehendc1384
comprisec1425
incur1536
come1577
befall1647
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > condition or state of being inclusive > include [verb (transitive)] > in a treatise or discourse
comprehendc1384
comprisec1425
c1425 Wyntoun Cron. ix. ix. 60 Thre yheris trwys..Qwhare-in þe Scottis men and þe kyng ware comprysyd.
1483 W. Caxton tr. Caton 5 b Ouer and aboue these [commandments] that be comprysed in this sayd table.
1525 Bp. Clerk in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. ii. 88 I. 320 Theys maters war..nott comprisyd in the articles expressly.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) v. ii. 96 She is our capitall Demand, compris'd Within the fore-ranke of our Articles. View more context for this quotation
1656 J. Bramhall Replic. to Bishop of Chalcedon Pref. 22 The new Articles since comprised in that Creed.
1823 H. J. Brooke Familiar Introd. Crystallogr. 271 Decrements on the acute solid angles, are all comprised within class b.
b. in, within a space or time, between limits.
ΚΠ
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. vi. 93 The Might or Power is couertly comprised betweene them both.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 7 The writing..wherein her oath for neuer marrying againe, was comprised.
1787 J. Barlow Oration July 4th 10 When an hundred millions of people are comprised within your territory.
1790 Coll. Voy. round World VI. xiv. 1963 That memorable day, in which are comprized the affecting incidents, and melancholy particulars.
1794 R. J. Sulivan View of Nature II. 31 The hours, when the electric fluid appears feeblest, are those comprised within the time [between evening and sunrise].
c. under a heading, title, common term, division.
ΚΠ
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball iv. lxxi. 533 Whiche are all comprised under the name of wilde Thistelles.
1655 W. Gouge & T. Gouge Learned Comm. Hebrewes (i. 2) i. 12 All..Christians..comprised under this particle Us.
1700 Moxon's Mech. Exercises: Bricklayers-wks. 1 Materials..are comprised under six Heads, viz. 1. Bricks, 2. Tiles, 3. Morter, 4. Laths, etc.
1870 G. Rolleston Forms Animal Life Introd. 61 The sub~division Loricata, under which are comprised the two orders of Crocodilina and Chelonia.
d. To be comprehended summarily.
ΚΠ
1502 tr. Ordynarye of Crysten Men (de Worde) ii. ii. sig. i.ii v In these two poyntes is comprysed all the holy scrypture.
a1571 W. Haddon in A. Fleming Panoplie Epist. (1576) 415 In this clause the sum of their request is comprised.
1601 Bp. W. Barlow Serm. Paules Crosse Martij 1600 20 The whole dutie of a Christian is comprised in one word.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 237 Behold a Nation in a Man compris'd.
1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. i. xi. 35 Academical Study may be comprised in two points, Reading and Meditation.
1834 R. Southey Doctor I. 165 Whether the secret of the Freemasons be comprised in the mystic word above.
e. Said especially of the things that collectively make up the whole of the thing or class spoken of.
ΚΠ
1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 134 There were but one and thirtie citties comprised onely in the league.
1675 R. Baxter Catholick Theol. i. ii. 4 It is various degrees of punishment which are comprised in the word Death.
1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 158. ⁋10 What should be comprised in the proposition.
1794 R. J. Sulivan View of Nature II. 430 All the various titles that we find in the heathen mythology, we at last find comprized in Apollo, or the Sun.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > art or occupation of writer or author > be the author of or write (a work) [verb (transitive)]
setc888
adighteOE
awriteeOE
writeeOE
dightc1000
workOE
makelOE
brevea1225
ditea1300
aditec1330
indite1340
betravail1387
compone1393
saya1475
compile1477
compose1483
comprise1485
recite1523
pen1530
contex1542
invent1576
author1597
context1628
to make up1630
spawn1631
1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. bjv/1 Pepyn, and in especial charlemayn his sone vpon whome this werke is comprysed.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure xiv. viii A ryght greate boke he did truly compryse.
1628 M. Lok (title) The Famovs Historie of the Indies: Declaring the Aduentures of the Spaniards..with Varietie of Relations of the Religious, Lawes, Gouernments..of that People. Comprised into sundry Decads.
8. Of things:† a. To take up, fully occupy (a space). Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > presence > fact of taking up space > take up (space or a place) [verb (transitive)] > completely
fillc1000
containc1374
replenish?a1425
comprise1489
to take up1538
pack1567
1489 W. Caxton tr. C. de Pisan Bk. Fayttes of Armes ii. xxxiv. 144 Olde vesselles charged with stones..shal be drowned so that they shal compryse and fylle all the hauene.
b. To constitute, make up, compose.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > be (part of) [verb (transitive)] > be the or a component(s) of
graitha1300
form1377
makea1393
compone1398
constitute1552
go1559
to make up1589
mould1602
compounda1616
integrate1638
elementate1660
compose1665
represent1776
comprise1794
account1893
1794 W. Paley View Evidences Christianity I. i. ix. 212 The propositions which comprise the several heads of our testimony.
1799 W. Jones Adams's Lect. Nat. & Exper. Philos. (ed. 2) II. xvi. App. 262 The wheels and pinions comprizing the wheel-work.
1850 W. S. Harris Rudim. Magn. iv. 73 These substances which we have termed diamagnetic..and which comprise a very extensive class of bodies.
1907 H. E. Santee Anat. Brain & Spinal Cord (1908) iii. 237 The fibres comprising the zonal layer have four sources of origin.
1925 Brit. Jrnl. Radiology 30 148 The various fuses etc. comprising the circuit.
1950 M. Peake Gormenghast xiv. 86 Who, by the way, do comprise the Staff these latter days?
1959 Chambers's Encycl. XIII. 653/1 These fibres also comprise the main element in scar tissue.
1969 W. Hooper in C. S. Lewis Sel. Lit. Ess. p. xix These essays together with those contained in this volume comprise the total of C. S. Lewis's essays on literature.
1969 N. Perrin Dr. Bowdler's Legacy (1970) i. 20 As to who comprised this new reading public, Jeffrey..guessed in 1812 that there were 20,000 upper-class readers in Great Britain.
c. passive. To be composed of, to consist of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > be composed of or consist of [verb (transitive)]
to be made ofa1200
to stand of ——a1393
to stand togetherc1475
remaina1525
compose?1541
subsist1549
to stand on ——1563
to consist of1565
to stand upon ——1601
to consist in1614
comprise1874
1874 Art of Paper-Making ii. 10 Thirds, or Mixed, are comprised of either or both of the above.
1928 Daily Tel. 17 July 10/7 The voluntary boards of management, comprised..of very zealous and able laymen.
1964 E. Palmer tr. A. Martinet Elements Gen. Linguistics i. 28 Many of these words are comprised of monemes.
1970 Nature 27 June 1206/2 Internally, the chloroplast is comprised of a system of flattened membrane sacs.
9. The participles are used absolutely: = Including, included (cf. French y compris); so the gerund.
ΚΠ
1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures vii. 21 He had lost above three thousand and five hundred men, not comprising the wounded.
1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 37 One quarter of the Ionick Column, the Base and Capital comprised.
1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 56 Brick-layers will work..the inside for thirty three shillings, arches comprised.
1887 W. G. Palgrave Phra-Bat in Ulysses The edifice..is square, about thirty feet in dimension each way, without comprising the outer colonnade.
Derivatives
comˈprised adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > condition or state of being inclusive > [adjective] > included
comprisedc1575
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > incorporation or inclusion > [adjective] > incorporated or included
inclusive1573
comprisedc1575
included1590
incorpsed1604
incorporated1715
unexcluded1780
corporate1850
in the mix1962
c1575 J. Balfour Practicks (1754) 147 Redemptioun of comprysit landis. Marg. Difference betwix comprysit landis and wodset landis.
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. xii. 305 If he be in himselfe, they are also two, the comprizing and the comprized.
1691 E. Taylor J. Behmen's Theosophick Philos. 316 Which breaketh the comprized Life again.
comˈprising n. and adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > condition or state of being inclusive > [adjective]
comprising1603
including1611
including1648
suscipient1655
comprehensivea1657
subsumptive1770
inclusionist1854
inclusionary1930
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > incorporation or inclusion > [noun]
incorporation1398
corporation1439
inclusiona1500
comprehension1541
incorporature1570
incorporating1579
including1598
incision1601
insition1601
comprising1603
assumption1617
inlaying1674
embodying1677
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > incorporation or inclusion > [adjective]
incorporative1592
comprising1603
including1611
inclusive1622
inclusory1775
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. xii. 305 If he be in himselfe, they are also two, the comprizing and the comprized.
1609 J. Skene tr. Regiam Majestatem 110 Comprisings of lands.
a1878 G. G. Scott Lect. Mediæval Archit. (1879) I. 229 The subdivisions..three or four under one comprising arch.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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