composite
composite — noun
1. Something formed by combining several different parts, elements, or features, wi
Something formed by combining several different parts, elements, or features, with each part keeping its own identity within the whole. A police sketch built from several witnesses' descriptions is a common example.
The police released a composite of the suspect based on descriptions from three witnesses.
police composite — law enforcement usage from multiple witness descriptions
The band's latest album is a composite of jazz, folk, and electronic music.
Aylin's painting was a composite of images she had collected from old magazines.
The committee's report was a composite of opinions gathered from over two hundred residents.
Nia created a digital composite of the landscape by merging several photographs.
- single entity
A composite is made of parts; a single entity is undivided.
用法筆記
Often used in law enforcement as 'composite sketch' — a picture of a suspect assembled from descriptions given by witnesses.
常見錯誤
2. A material produced by bonding two or more different substances (such as fibres
A material produced by bonding two or more different substances (such as fibres and resin) to create a product with better strength, lightness, or durability than the individual ingredients alone. Typical uses include aircraft parts, bridge decks, and sports equipment.
The bridge was built using a lightweight composite of carbon fibre and polymer resin.
composite of [substance1] + [substance2] — two-ingredient formula
Many modern aircraft use composites instead of metal to save weight.
The kayak's hull is made of a durable composite that resists impact well.
Valentina bought a fishing rod made from a lightweight composite that bends easily without breaking.
Ezra replaced the old wooden deck boards with a weatherproof composite.
- compound material
Nearly synonymous, but more common in scientific contexts.
- laminate
Specifically describes layered composites, not all types.
- reinforced material
Highlights that one substance strengthens another, a subset of composites.
- pure material
A single substance with no added ingredients.
用法筆記
Common in engineering and manufacturing. Typical examples include fibreglass (glass fibres + resin) and carbon-fibre composites. Do not confuse with 'alloy', which involves metals mixing at the atomic level.
常見錯誤
composite — adjective
1. Made up of several distinct parts, elements, or features that together form a si
Made up of several distinct parts, elements, or features that together form a single whole. Used for abstract and artistic combinations such as a composite portrait or a composite score.
The museum display uses a composite image that blends photographs from four different eras.
collocation: composite image
The film's score is a composite work drawing on classical, jazz, and West African traditions.
Hoa presented a composite view of the data, combining sales figures from all three regions.
The report paints a composite picture of the city using census data and personal interviews.
Eli assembled a composite timeline of the event using eyewitness accounts and security footage.
用法筆記
Distinguish from the material-specific adjective sense (sense 2): this sense covers abstract, artistic, or informational combinations, not physical substances.
常見錯誤
2. Made by combining different physical substances or materials to achieve specific
Made by combining different physical substances or materials to achieve specific properties such as extra strength, reduced weight, or resistance to heat or impact.
The car body is made of a composite material that is both strong and lightweight.
composite material — the most frequent collocation in this sense
Antonia chose composite flooring for the kitchen because it resists water better than wood.
Some bicycle frames are built from composite carbon fibre that absorbs road vibration well.
Composite panels are now widely used in high-rise building construction.
The tennis racket has a composite shaft that gives players more control during swings.
用法筆記
Nearly always describes physical substances or manufactured products. The noun it modifies is typically an object made from more than one raw material. Not used for abstract or artistic mixtures — see adjective sense 1.