compost

Definition

The decayed remains of organic matter that has rotted into a natural fertilizer.

Etymology

From Middle English compost, from Old Northern French compost (“mixture of leaves, manure, etc., for fertilizing land" also "condiment”), from Latin compositus (“composed”), from componere. Doublet of compote, which was taken from modern French, composite, and kompot.

Example Sentences

• "Dig plenty of compost into clay or sandy soil to improve its structure."
• "And do not spread the compost on the weeds / To make them ranker."
• "[T]he very wet winter will have washed much of the goodness out of the soil. Homemade compost and the load of manure we get from a friendly farmer may not be enough to compensate for what has leached from the ground."