compass

[ kuhm-puh s ]

/ ˈkʌm pəs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR compass ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

the enclosing line or limits of any area; perimeter: You can find anything you want downtown within the compass of ten square blocks.

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

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

due or proper limits; moderate bounds: Their behavior stayed within the compass of propriety.

a passing round; circuit: the compass of a year.

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 with pair of): to spread the legs of a compass and draw a larger circle.

(initial capital letter) Astronomy.

Also called Mariner's Compass. the constellation Pyxis.
Compasses, the constellation Circinus.

adjective

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

verb (used with object)

to go or move round; make the circuit of: It would take a week to compass his property on foot.

to extend or stretch around; hem in; surround; encircle: An old stone wall compasses their property.

to attain or achieve; accomplish; obtain.

to contrive; plot; scheme: to compass a treacherous plan.

to make curved or circular.

to comprehend; to grasp, as with the mind: His mind could not compass the extent of the disaster.

Nearby words

compartment, compartmental, compartmentalization, compartmentalize, compartmentation, compass, compass card, compass course, compass deviation, compass deviation card, compass north

Origin of compass

1250–1300; (v.) Middle English compassen < Old French compasser to measure < Vulgar Latin *compāssāre, equivalent to compāss(us) equal step (Latin com- com- + pāssus pace¹) + -āre v. suffix; (noun) Middle English compas < Old French, derivative of compasser

SYNONYMS FOR compass

3 See range.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR compass ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

com·pass·a·ble, adjectivecom·pass·less, adjectiveout·com·pass, verb (used with object)pre·com·pass, verb (used with object), noun

un·com·pass·a·ble, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for compass

Muscovites call their favorite station “Ukho Moskvy” (Ear of Moscow) and see it as an institution, a compass for society.
The Kremlin Is Killing Echo of Moscow, Russia’s Last Independent Radio Station|Anna Nemtsova|November 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It radiates her inner light and compass, her disregard for status quo.
Why Maya Angelou Loved Sherry, The Drink of Brilliant Renegades|Jordan Salcito|June 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He goes on to compass the very nature of memory by way of considering how we memorialize mass death.
Geoff Dyer at Sea: Unmoored but on Target|Melissa Holbrook Pierson|May 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As a lifelong reader, I have rarely had any sort of compass to guide me.
Can Great Literature Really Change Your Life?|Malcolm Jones|January 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST

A hole, though shaped like an ellipse, in which this well-hung stud had placed it would look as if a compass traced it.
Read This and Blush: Naughty Medieval French Tales|Yunte Huang|June 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He had recourse, therefore, to the most perfidious means to compass his destruction.
Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada|Washington Irving
"But I hardly think Max would ever need a compass," Bandy-legs observed.
With Trapper Jim in the North Woods|Lawrence J. Leslie
"You must be your own judge of that," replied Christy, as he dropped down on the floor, with the compass in his hand.
Taken by the Enemy|Oliver Optic
She began boxing the compass and only once did she pause until she had gone all the way around the card.
The Meadow-Brook Girls by the Sea|Janet Aldridge
The compass of his song, Let Glorys Clarion, extended over seventeen notes.
Haunted London|Walter Thornbury

British Dictionary definitions for compass

compass

/ (ˈkʌmpəs) /

noun

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

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

limits or rangewithin the compass of education

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

archaic a circular course

verb (tr)

to encircle or surround; hem in

to comprehend or grasp mentally

to achieve; attain; accomplish

obsolete to plot

Derived Formscompassable, adjective

Word Origin for compass

C13: from Old French compas, from compasser to measure, from Vulgar Latin compassāre (unattested) to pace out, ultimately from Latin passus step

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for compass (1 of 2)

compass

c.1300, "space, area, extent, circumference," from Old French compas "circle, radius, pair of compasses" (12c.), from compasser "to go around, measure, divide equally," from Vulgar Latin *compassare "to pace out" (source of Italian compassare, Spanish compasar), from Latin com- "together" (see com-) + passus "a step" (see pace (n.)).

The mathematical instrument so called from mid-14c. The mariners' directional tool (so called since early 15c.) took the name, perhaps, because it's round and has a point like the mathematical instrument. The word is in most European languages, with a mathematical sense in Romance, a nautical sense in Germanic, and both in English.

Word Origin and History for compass (1 of 2)

compass

c.1300, "to devise, plan;" early 14c. as "to surround, contain, envelop, enclose;" from Anglo-French cumpasser, from compass (n.). Related: Compassed; compassing.

Science definitions for compass

compass

[ kŭm′pəs ]

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.

compass

noun

adjective

verb (used with object)

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Origin of compass

Examples from the Web for compass

British Dictionary definitions for compass

compass

noun

verb (tr)

Word Origin for compass

Word Origin and History for compass (1 of 2)

compass

Word Origin and History for compass (1 of 2)

compass

Science definitions for compass

compass