[f. as prec. + -NESS.] The state or quality of being composed.
a. in outward bearing, appearance, or demeanor.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., VI. xxxiii. (1632), 130. A man of so obseruable composedness, as that he had bin neuer seene to laugh.
1745. Wesley, Wks. (1872), VIII. 182. Gravity and composedness of behaviour.
1820. Southey, in Q. Rev., XXIII. 9. That this composedness was the demeanour of one who submitted to the stroke as a judicial visitation.
b. in mind, spirits, etc.
1627. Bp. Hall, Heaven vpon E., § 2. 74. This due composednesse of minde we require unto our tranquillity.
1796. Lamb, Lett. Coleridge, 28 Oct. Rejoice with me in my sister’s continued reason and composedness of mind.
1883. Mrs. Oliphant, Mem. Sheridan, 208. Details which move the heart out of the composedness of criticism.
c. of a people, etc.: Settled order, tranquillity.
a. 1859. Macaulay, Hist. Eng. (1861), V. 168. The anarchy lasted, with some short intervals of composedness, till the general election of 1705.
