Compass Definition

kŭmpəs, kŏm-

compasses

noun

compasses

A V-shaped device for describing circles or circular arcs and for taking measurements, consisting of a pair of rigid, end-hinged legs, one of which is equipped with a pen, pencil, or other marker and the other with a sharp point providing a pivot about which the drawing leg is turned.

American Heritage

An enclosing line or boundary; a circumference.

Outside the compass of the fence.

American Heritage

Any of various instruments for showing geographical direction, esp. one consisting of a magnetic needle swinging freely on a pivot and pointing to the magnetic north.

Webster's New World

A boundary line; circumference.

Webster's New World

Awareness or understanding of one's purpose or objectives.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

verb

compasses

To go around; make a circuit of.

Webster's New World

To surround; encircle.

The trees compass the grave.

American Heritage

Encompass.

Webster's New World

To grasp mentally; understand; comprehend.

Webster's New World

To accomplish or bring about.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
lose
fail

adjective

Round; circular or semicircular.

Webster's New World

Forming a curve.

American Heritage

adverb

(obsolete) In a circuit; round about.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Compass

Noun

Singular:

compass

Plural:

compasses

Origin of Compass

For noun: from Middle English compas (“a circle, circuit, limit, form, a mathematical instrument”), from Old French compas, from Medieval Latin compassus (“a circle, a circuit”), from Latin com- (“together”) + passus (“a pace, step, later a pass, way, route”); see pass, pace.

From Wiktionary
Middle English compas circle, compass from Old French from compasser to measure from Vulgar Latin compassāre to pace off Latin com- com- Latin passus step pace¹

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
For verb: from Middle English compassen (“to go around, make a circuit, draw a circle, contrive, intend”), from Old French compasser; from the noun; see compass as a noun.

From Wiktionary