compass

American  

[kuhm-puhs] / ˈkʌm pəs /

noun

1. an instrument for determining directions, as by means of a freely rotating magnetized needle that indicates magnetic north.

2. the enclosing line or limits of any area; perimeter.

   You can find anything you want downtown within the compass of ten square blocks.

3. space within limits; area; extent; range; scope: the broad compass of the novel.

   the narrow compass of the strait;

   the broad compass of the novel.

4. Also called range.  the total range of tones of a voice or of a musical instrument.

5. due or proper limits; moderate bounds.

   Their behavior stayed within the compass of propriety.

6. a passing round; circuit.

   the compass of a year.

7. Often compasses an instrument for drawing or describing circles, measuring distances, etc., consisting generally of two movable, rigid legs hinged to each other at one end (usually used withpair of ).

   to spread the legs of a compass and draw a larger circle.

8. Astronomy.

   1. Also called Mariner's Compass.  Compass. the constellation Pyxis.

   2. Compasses, the constellation Circinus.

---

adjective

1. curved; forming a curve or arc: compass roof.

   a compass timber;

   compass roof.

verb (used with object)

1. to go or move round; make the circuit of.

   It would take a week to compass his property on foot.

2. to extend or stretch around; hem in; surround; encircle.

   An old stone wall compasses their property.

3. to attain or achieve; accomplish; obtain.

   To have compassed this task in the limited time available is no mean achievement.

4. to contrive; plot; scheme.

   to compass a treacherous plan.

5. to make curved or circular.

6. to comprehend; to grasp, as with the mind.

   His mind could not compass the extent of the disaster.

compass British  

/ ˈkʌmpəs /

noun

1. an instrument for finding direction, usually having a magnetized needle which points to magnetic north swinging freely on a pivot

2. Also called: pair of compasses.  (often plural) an instrument used for drawing circles, measuring distances, etc, that consists of two arms, joined at one end, one arm of which serves as a pivot or stationary reference point, while the other is extended or describes a circle

3. limits or range

   within the compass of education

4. music the interval between the lowest and highest note attainable by a voice or musical instrument

5. archaic  a circular course

---

verb

1. to encircle or surround; hem in

2. to comprehend or grasp mentally

3. to achieve; attain; accomplish

4. obsolete  to plot

compass Scientific  

/ kŭm′pəs /

1. 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.

2. A device used for drawing circles and arcs and for measuring distances on maps, consisting of two legs hinged together at one end.

---

Related Words

See range.

Other Word Forms

• compassable adjective
• compassless adjective
• outcompass verb (used with object)
• precompass verb (used with object)
• uncompassable adjective

Etymology

Origin of compass

First recorded in 1250–1300; (verb) Middle English compassen, from Old French compasser “to measure,” from unattested Vulgar Latin compāssāre, equivalent to compāss(us), “equal step” ( Latin com- com- + pāssus pace ¹ ) + -āre verb suffix; (noun) Middle English compas, from Old French, derivative of compasser

Example Sentences

“The only question after the assassination and its immediate celebration is: What the heck is going on with America’s moral compass?” said Heather Mac Donald, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute.

From The Wall Street Journal

Hatchlings come equipped with a magnetic compass that helps them maintain direction, and a magnetic map that provides location information essential for successful navigation.

From Science Daily

The flight carried an instrument that shines lasers at atoms, which behave like compass needles to measure Earth’s magnetic field in real time.

From The Wall Street Journal

This playoff turns on two questions within the compass of the U.S.

From Barron's

Last year, scientists at Imperial College, London trialled an alternative to GPS satellite navigation, dubbed a "quantum compass", on the city's underground Tube network.

From BBC