transitive verb
- Archaic to go around; make a circuit of
- encompass (sense )
- to grasp mentally; understand; comprehend
- to reach successfully; achieve; accomplish: to compass one's ends
- to plot or contrive (something harmful)
Origin:
ME compassen < OFr compasser, to go around < VL *compassare < L com-, together + passus, a step: see pace
noun
- an instrument consisting of two pointed legs connected at one end by a pivot, used for drawing arcs or circles or for taking measurements
- a boundary line; circumference
- an enclosed area
- full extent or range; reach; scope; specif., range of tones, as of a voice
- 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
- Archaic a circuit; course
Origin:
ME & OFr compas, a circle, prob. < the v.
adjective
round; circular or semicircular