compost

compost
—compostable, adj. —composter, n.
/kom"pohst/, n.
1. a mixture of various decaying organic substances, as dead leaves or manure, used for fertilizing soil.
2. a composition; compound.
v.t.
3. to use in compost; make compost of: to compost manure and kitchen scraps.
4. to apply compost to (soil).
v.i.
5. to make compost: Shredded leaves will compost easily.
[1350-1400; ME < AF, MF < L compositum, n. use of neut. of compositus COMPOSITE; cf. COMPOTE]

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Mass of rotted organic matter made from decomposed plant material.

It is used in agriculture and gardening generally to improve soil structure rather than as a fertilizer, because it is low in plant nutrients. When properly prepared, it is free of obnoxious odours. Composts commonly contain about 2% nitrogen, 0.5–1% phosphorus, and about 2% potassium. Lime and nitrogen fertilizers and manure may be added to speed decomposition. The nitrogen of compost becomes available slowly and in small amounts. Because of their low nutrient content, composts are applied in large amounts.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Compost — (  /ˈ …   Wikipedia

  • compost — [ kɔ̃pɔst ] n. m. • fin XVIIIe; mot angl., de l anglo normand compost fin XIIIe) « engrais composé » ♦ Engrais formé par le mélange fermenté de débris organiques avec des matières minérales. ⇒ humus. ● compost nom masculin (anglais compost, de l… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • compost — COMPÓST, composturi, s.n. Îngrăşământ agricol natural, rezultat în urma fermentării lente a diferitelor resturi vegetale şi animale, amestecate cu unele substanţe minerale. – Din fr. compost. Trimis de LauraGellner, 29.07.2004. Sursa: DEX 98 … …   Dicționar Român

  • Compost — Com post (?; 277), n. [OF. compost, fr. L. compositus, p. p. See {Composite}.] 1. A mixture; a compound. [R.] [1913 Webster] A sad compost of more bitter than sweet. Hammond. [1913 Webster] 2. (Agric.) A mixture for fertilizing land; esp., a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Compost — Com post, v. t. 1. To manure with compost. [1913 Webster] 2. To mingle, as different fertilizing substances, in a mass where they will decompose and form into a compost. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • compost — ► NOUN 1) decayed organic material used as a fertilizer for growing plants. 2) a mixture of compost with loam soil used as a growing medium. ► VERB ▪ make into or treat with compost. ORIGIN Latin composita something put together , from componere… …   English terms dictionary

  • compost — y su derivado compostaje aparecen en las noticias sobre la creación de plantas industriales destinadas a reciclar los residuos sólidos urbanos. Compost es el nombre inglés y francés de un tipo de abono parecido al que en español se conoce como… …   Diccionario español de neologismos

  • compost — ‘Humus artificial’. Es invariable en plural (→ plural, 1j): «Nunca se ha de emplear en los compost material que no esté completamente podrido» (Alonso Plantas [Esp. 1980]) …   Diccionario panhispánico de dudas

  • compost — [käm′pōst΄] n. [ME < OFr composte, condiment (> Fr compote) < VL * composita < L compositus: see COMPOSITE] 1. a mixture; compound 2. a mixture of decomposing vegetable refuse, manure, etc. for fertilizing and conditioning soil vt. to …   English World dictionary

  • Compost — (v. lat.), 1) Art Dünger, s. u. Dünger; 2) so v. w. Komßkraut …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Compost — Compost, S. Komst …   Grammatisch-kritisches Wörterbuch der Hochdeutschen Mundart

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