Wiktionary
n. (context software design English) A structural pattern where a group of objects are to be treated in the same way as a single instance of an object.
Wikipedia
In software engineering, the composite pattern is a partitioning design pattern. The composite pattern describes that a group of objects is to be treated in the same way as a single instance of an object. The intent of a composite is to "compose" objects into tree structures to represent part-whole hierarchies. Implementing the composite pattern lets clients treat individual objects and compositions uniformly.
Usage examples of "composite pattern".
Tier upon tier, level after level, the skyscrapers, terraces, sweeping ramps, and flying bridges clung together in a fantastic composite pattern that seemed to leap into the sky in a series of joyous bounds that defied gravity.
His head was turned to look, had he been a real being and not a composite pattern of optical wave-fronts, straight out at them.