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compass Definition

com·pass (kum′pəs; also käm′-)

transitive verb

  1. Archaic to go around; make a circuit of
  2. encompass (sense )
  3. to grasp mentally; understand; comprehend
  4. to reach successfully; achieve; accomplish to compass one's ends
  5. to plot or contrive (something harmful)

Etymology: ME compassen < OFr compasser, to go around < VL *compassare < L com-, together + passus, a step: see pace

noun

  1. an instrument consisting of two pointed legs connected at one end by a pivot, used for drawing arcs or circles or for taking measurements
  2. a boundary line; circumference
  3. an enclosed area
  4. full extent or range; reach; scope; specif., range of tones, as of a voice
  5. any of various instruments for showing direction, esp. one consisting of a magnetic needle swinging freely on a pivot and pointing to the magnetic north
  6. Archaic a circuit; course

Etymology: ME & OFr compas, a circle, prob. < the v.

adjective

round; circular or semicircular

compass Related Forms

com′·pass·able adjective

compass Synonyms

compass

n.

  1. Boundary

    circumference, range, extent; see boundary, expanse, extent, range 2.

  2. Instrument

    magnetic compass, mariner's compass, direction finder, direction guide, surveyor's compass, earth inductor, sun compass, induction compass, gyrocompass, cardinal points, radio compass, needle*; see also device 1. See syn. study at circumference, range.

compass Usage Examples

Possessives

mariner: Most depended upon survey using the mariner's compass.

Converse of object

  • calibrate: The legs were chosen so as to include both wall corners which had been chosen to calibrate the compass.
  • fetch: Fetching a compass more Westwards, these places present themselves to view.

Adjective modifier

  • prismatic: The prismatic compass does not have to be tripod mounted to be read to * or - 0.5° , but clinometers do.
  • lensatic: Although different models of the lensatic compass vary somewhat in the details of their use, the principles are the same.
  • magnetic: Has anyone, anywhere, ever gotten accuracy that good from a magnetic compass?
  • moral: She has the strongest moral compass of anyone I know.
  • electronic: ACCURATE READINGS The electronic compass has a bubble level for accurate readings.
  • narrow: Within this narrow compass, he achieves remarkable diversity of structure and emotional tone.

Modifies a noun

  • bearing: Compass bearings are given only to false point accuracy.
  • needle: The arrows show how the compass needle follows these lines.
  • binnacle: Along with a new compass binnacle, the boat is set for increased comfort and safety.
  • binoculars: Compass Binoculars There is no doubt that compass binoculars have become very popular for marine use.
  • deviation: None of the compass deviation events reported here were the result of these well known phenomena.
  • rose: Large display includes compass rose which shows continuously updated wind direction and wind speed information.

Noun used with modifier

  • gyro: For the same reason the gyro compass was not working.
  • silva: We've added a couple of new Silva compasses to the online shop.
  • pocket: For five miles I rode south, striking a tinder from time to time to look at my pocket compass.
  • precision: The amount this differs from the baseline provided by the precision compass is plotted.
  • bearing: Brass Compass Know where you are going at all times with this sensible brass hand bearing compass.