compass

com·pass (k

s, k

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.

2. 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.

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: "Lacking a coherent intellectual and moral commitment, [he] was forced to find his compass in personal experience" Doris Kearns Goodwin. See Synonyms at range.

4. Music See range.

tr.v. com·passed, com·pass·ing, com·pass·es

1. To make a circuit of; circle: The sailboat compassed the island.

2. To surround; encircle. See Synonyms at surround.

3. To understand; comprehend.

4. To succeed in carrying out; accomplish. See Synonyms at reach.

5. To scheme; plot.

adj.

1. Forming a curved configuration.

2. Semicircular. Used of bow windows.

[Middle English compas, circle, compass, from Old French, from compasser, to measure, from Vulgar Latin *compassre, to pace off : Latin com-, com- + Latin passus, step; see pace¹.]

compass·a·ble adj.

compass

drawing a circle with a compass

compass

Noun

1. an instrument for finding direction, with a magnetized needle which points to magnetic north

2. limits or range: within the compass of a normal sized book such a comprehensive survey is not possible

3. compasses an instrument used for drawing circles or measuring distances, that consists of two arms, joined at one end [Latin com- together + passus step]

compass (k

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.

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun	1.	compass - navigational instrument for finding directions gyrocompass - a compass that does not depend on magnetism but uses a gyroscope instead magnetic compass - compass based on an indicator (as a magnetic needle) that points to the magnetic north navigational instrument - an instrument used for navigating
	2.	compass - an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"; "a piano has a greater range than the human voice"; "the ambit of municipal legislation"; "within the compass of this article"; "within the scope of an investigation"; "outside the reach of the law"; "in the political orbit of a world power" ambit, range, scope, reach, orbit extent - the distance or area or volume over which something extends; "the vast extent of the desert"; "an orchard of considerable extent" approximate range, ballpark - near to the scope or range of something; "his answer wasn't even in the right ballpark" confines - a bounded scope; "he stayed within the confines of the city" contrast - the range of optical density and tone on a photographic negative or print (or the extent to which adjacent areas on a television screen differ in brightness) internationality, internationalism - quality of being international in scope; "he applauded the internationality of scientific terminology" latitude - scope for freedom of e.g. action or thought; freedom from restriction purview, horizon, view - the range of interest or activity that can be anticipated; "It is beyond the horizon of present knowledge" expanse, sweep - a wide scope; "the sweep of the plains" gamut - a complete extent or range: "a face that expressed a gamut of emotions" spectrum - a broad range of related objects or values or qualities or ideas or activities palette, pallet - the range of colour characteristic of a particular artist or painting or school of art
	3.	compass - the limit of capability; "within the compass of education" grasp, reach, range capableness, potentiality, capability - an aptitude that may be developed ken, sight - the range of vision; "out of sight of land"
	4.	compass - drafting instrument used for drawing circles drafting instrument - an instrument used by a draftsman in making drawings
Verb	1.	compass - bring about; accomplish; "This writer attempts more than his talents can compass" archaicism, archaism - the use of an archaic expression achieve, attain, accomplish, reach - to gain with effort; "she achieved her goal despite setbacks"
	2.	compass - travel around, either by plane or ship; "We compassed the earth" circumnavigate circle - travel around something; "circle the globe"
	3.	compass - get the meaning of something; "Do you comprehend the meaning of this letter?" apprehend, comprehend, get the picture, grok, savvy, grasp, dig understand - know and comprehend the nature or meaning of; "She did not understand her husband"; "I understand what she means" figure - understand; "He didn't figure her" catch on, cotton on, get it, get onto, get wise, twig, latch on, tumble - understand, usually after some initial difficulty; "She didn't know what her classmates were plotting but finally caught on" intuit - know or grasp by intuition or feeling digest - arrange and integrate in the mind; "I cannot digest all this information"