Etymology : Middle English, from Old French compasser to measure, from Vulgar Latin compassare to pace off, from Latin com- + passus pace
Pronunciation : 'k&m-p&s
also '
Function : transitive verb
Date : 14th century
1. instrument that indicates magnetic north; boundary, limit. surround, encircle; comprehend, understand. compass\com"pass\ (kŭm"pas), n. [f. compas, fr. ll. compassus circle, prop., a stepping together; com- + passus pace, step. see:
pace, pass.].
2. a passing round; circuit; circuitous course. they fetched a compass of seven day's journey. i.
3. this day i breathed first; time is come round, and where i did begin, there shall i end; my life is run his compass.
4. an inclosing limit; boundary; circumference; as, within the compass of an encircling wall.
5. an inclosed space; an area; extent. their wisdom lies in a very narrow compass.
6. extent; reach; sweep; capacity; sphere; as, the compass of his eye; the compass of imagination. the compass of his argument.
7. moderate bounds, limits of truth; moderation; due limits; -- used with within. in two hundred years before (i speak within compass), no such commission had been executed. davies.
8. (mus.) the range of notes, or tones, within the capacity of a voice or instrument. you would sound me from my lowest note to the top of my compass.
9. an instrument for determining directions upon the earth's surface by means of a magnetized bar or needle turning freely upon a pivot and pointing in a northerly and southerly direction. he that first discovered the use of the compass did more for the supplying and increase of useful commodities than those who built workhouses.
10. a pair of compasses. [r.] see:
compasses. to fix one foot of their compass wherever they please.
11. a circle; a continent. [obs.] the tryne compas [the threefold world containing earth, sea, and heaven.].
12. A passing round; circuit; circuitous course.
13. An inclosing limit; boundary; circumference; as, within the compass of an encircling wall.
14. An inclosed space; an area; extent.
15. Extent; reach; sweep; capacity; sphere; as, the compass of his eye; the compass of imagination.
16. Moderate bounds, limits of truth; moderation; due limits; used with within.
17. The range of notes, or tones, within the capacity of a voice or instrument.
18. An instrument for determining directions upon the earth's surface by means of a magnetized bar or needle turning freely upon a pivot and pointing in a northerly and southerly direction.
19. A pair of compasses.
20. A circle; a continent.
21. To go about or entirely round; to make the circuit of.
22. To inclose on all sides; to surround; to encircle; to environ; to invest; to besiege; used with about, round, around, and round about.
23. To reach round; to circumvent; to get within one's power; to obtain; to accomplish.
24. To curve; to bend into a circular form.
25. To purpose; to intend; to imagine; to plot. navigational instrument for finding directions drafting instrument used for drawing circles the limit of capability; "within the compass of education" bring about; accomplish; "This writer attempts more than his talents can compass".
26. 1. A compass is an instrument that you use for finding directions. It has a dial and a magnetic needle that always points to the north. We had to rely on a compass and a lot of luck to get here.
27. Compasses are a hinged V-shaped instrument that you use for drawing circles. In navigation or surveying, the chief device for direction finding on the Earth's surface. Compasses may operate on magnetic or gyroscopic (see:
gyroscope) principles or by determining the direction of the Sun or a star. The oldest and most familiar type is the magnetic compass, used in different forms in aircraft, ships, and land vehicles and by surveyors. Magnetic compasses work as they do because the Earth itself is a magnet with a north-south field (see:
geomagnetic field) that causes freely moving magnets to align themselves with the field.