a shortened form of the words composition, composite, in technical or vulgar use.
1. = COMPOSITION 20, stucco, cement. Carvers’ compo: a mixture of whiting, resin, and glue, used instead of plaster of Paris for wall and cornice ornamentation. Also attrib.
1823. P. Nicholson, Pract. Build., 390. Compo, or Compos … implies the materials with which Roman or any other similar cement is composed.
1841. Lytton, Nt. & Morn., II. v. Beneath a compo portico … which adorned the physician’s door.
1860. All Y. Round, No. 53. 60. A vulgar compo parapet and cast-iron railing.
1881. Mechanic, § 1375. The coating of compo or stucco with which a wall is covered.
2. A metallic composition for ornaments, etc.
1879. C. Hibbs, Jewellery, in Cassell’s Techn. Educ., IV. 308/1. Honest brass, dignified sometimes with more high sounding names, and technically known as ‘compo.’
3. The composition used for making printers’ inking-rollers.
4. a. A composition paid by a debtor. b. ‘The monthly portion of wages paid to a ship’s company’ (Adm. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk.).
5. attrib. = COMPOSITE 6 b.
1878. F. Williams, Midl. Railw., 666. The compo bogie carriages of Mr. Clayton.
Hence Compo v. trans., to cover with ‘compo’ (sense 1).
1809. Europ. Mag., LV. 21. Persons may have the front of their houses compo’d.
