Compassing

com·pass  (kmps, km-)

n.

1.

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.

3.

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.

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[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.]

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compass·a·ble adj.