compass

com·pass

Use compass in a sentence

A compass lying on a set of architects drawings.

noun

The definition of a compass is a tool with two pointed legs connected by a hinge, one end with a writing device the other used as a stable pivot, used for drawing perfect circles and other things.
An example of compass is what an architect uses for drawing curves in a building plan.
A compass is defined as a device with magnetic needles used for showing the direction one is facing.
An example of a compass is what a backpacker would use to find their way through the woods.

verb

The definition of compass means to understand, grasp or fulfill.
An example of to compass is figuring out why your car won't start.

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"compass." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 22 May 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Compass>.

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compass. (n.d.). Retrieved May 22nd, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Compass

compass

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 of compass

Middle English compassen from Old French compasser, to go around from Vulgar Latin an unverified form compassare from Classical Latin com-, together + passus, a step: see pace

[sometimes pl.] an adjustable instrument consisting of two arms connected at one end by a hinge, with typically one arm having a pencil or pen attached to its other end and the other arm ending in a point: used for drawing arcs and circles, measuring distances on a map, etc.
also pair of compasses
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 geographical direction, esp. one consisting of a magnetic needle swinging freely on a pivot and pointing to the magnetic north
Archaic a circuit; course

Origin of compass

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

round; circular or semicircular

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MLA Style

"compass." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 22 May 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Compass>.

APA Style

compass. (n.d.). Retrieved May 22nd, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Compass

compass

noun

a. A device used to determine geographic direction, usually consisting of a magnetic needle or needles horizontally mounted or suspended and free to pivot until aligned with the earth's magnetic field.
b. Another device, such as a radio compass or a gyrocompass, used for determining geographic direction.
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. Also called pair of compasses .
Awareness or understanding of one's purpose or objectives: “Lacking a coherent intellectual and moral commitment, [he] was forced to find his compass in personal experience” ( Doris Kearns Goodwin )
a. An enclosing line or boundary; a circumference: outside the compass of the fence. See Synonyms at circumference.
b. A restricted space or area: four huge crates within the compass of the elevator.
c. Range or scope, as of understanding, perception, or authority: The subject falls outside the compass of this study. See Synonyms at range.
Music See range .

transitive verb

com·passed, com·pass·ing, com·pass·es

To make a circuit of; circle: The sailboat compassed the island.
To surround; encircle: The trees compass the grave.
To understand; comprehend: “God … is too great a profundity to be compassed by human cerebration” ( Flann O'Brian )
a. To accomplish or bring about: “He compassed his end only by the exercise of gentle violence” ( Henry James )
b. To gain or achieve: “She had compassed the high felicity of seeing the two men beautifully take to each another” ( Henry James )
To scheme; plot: compass the death of the king.

adjective

Forming a curve.

Origin of compass

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 ; see pace ¹.

Related Forms:

com′pass·a·ble
adjective

compass

top: directional compass

bottom: bow compass

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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MLA Style

"compass." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 22 May 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Compass>.

APA Style

compass. (n.d.). Retrieved May 22nd, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Compass

A device used to determine geographical direction, usually consisting of a magnetic needle mounted on a pivot, aligning itself naturally with the Earth's magnetic field so that it points to the Earth's geomagnetic north or south pole.
A device used for drawing circles and arcs and for measuring distances on maps, consisting of two legs hinged together at one end.

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Cite this page

MLA Style

"compass." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 22 May 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Compass>.

APA Style

compass. (n.d.). Retrieved May 22nd, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Compass

Noun

(plural compasses)

A magnetic or electronic device used to determine the cardinal directions (usually magnetic or true north).
A pair of compasses (a device used to draw an arc or circle).
(music) The range of notes of a musical instrument or voice.
Addison
Their wisdom […] lies in a very narrow compass.
1913, D.H. Lawrence, Sons and Lovers, chapter 14
Clara thought she had never seen him look so small and mean. He was as if trying to get himself into the smallest possible compass.
Moderate bounds, limits of truth; moderation; due limits; used with within.
Scope.
Shakespeare
This day I breathed first; time is come round, / And where I did begin, there shall I end; / My life is run his compass.

Verb

(third-person singular simple present compasses, present participle compassing, simple past and past participle compassed)

To surround; to encircle; to environ; to stretch round.
To go about or round entirely; to traverse.
(dated) To accomplish; to reach; to achieve; to obtain.
(dated) To plot; to scheme (against someone).

Adverb

(comparative more compass, superlative most compass)

(obsolete) In a circuit; round about.

Origin

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.

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.

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.