compass

com·pass

 (kŭm′pəs, kŏm′-)

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. 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).

4.

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.

5. 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: The trees compass the grave.

3. To understand; comprehend: "God ... is too great a profundity to be compassed by human cerebration" (Flann O'Brian).

4.

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).

5. To scheme; plot: compass the death of the king.

adj.

Forming a curve.

---

[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 pace¹.]

---

com′pass·a·ble adj.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

compass

(ˈkʌmpəs)

n

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

2. (Mathematics) (often plural) Also called: pair of compasses 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, other) music the interval between the lowest and highest note attainable by a voice or musical instrument

5. archaic a circular course

vb (tr)

6. to encircle or surround; hem in

7. to comprehend or grasp mentally

8. to achieve; attain; accomplish

9. obsolete to plot

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

ˈcompassable adj

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

com•pass

(ˈkʌm pəs)

n.

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

2. Often, compasses. an instrument for drawing or describing circles, measuring distances, etc., consisting generally of two hinged, movable legs (often used with pair of).

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

4. space within limits; scope: the broad compass of the novel.

5. the total range of tones of a voice or of a musical instrument.

6. due or proper limits; moderate bounds: to act within the compass of propriety.

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

adj.

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

v.t.

9. to go or move around; make the circuit of: to compass the city on foot.

10. to extend or stretch around; surround; encircle: A stone wall compasses the property.

11. to attain or achieve; accomplish; obtain.

12. to contrive; plot; scheme.

13. to make curved or circular.

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

[1250–1300; (v.) Middle English < Old French compasser to measure < Vulgar Latin *compāssāre, v. derivative of *compāssus equal step (Latin com- com- + pāssus pace¹); (n.) Middle English < Old French, derivative of compasser]

com′pass•a•ble, adj.

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

com·pass

(kŭm′pəs)

1. A device used to determine geographical direction, usually consisting of a magnetic needle mounted so that it points to magnetic north.

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

The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

compass

Past participle: compassed
Gerund: compassing

Imperative

compass

compass

Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

Thesaurus

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"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

compass

¹

noun

1. range, field, area, reach, scope, sphere, limit, stretch, bound, extent, zone, boundary, realm Within the compass of a book of this size, such a comprehensive survey is not practicable.

---

compass

²

Compass points

Compass Point 

Abbreviation
North	N
North by East	N by E
North North East	NNE
North East by North	NE by N
North East	NE
North East by East	NE by E
East North East	ENE
East by North	E by N
East	E
East by South	E by S
East South East	ESE
South East by East	SE by E
South East	SE
South East by South	SE by S
South South East	SSE
South by East	S by E
South	S
South by West	S by W
South South West	SSW
South West by South	SW by S
South West	SW
South West by West	SW by W
West South West	WSW
West by South	W by S
West	W
West by North	W by N
West North West	WNW
North West by West	NW by W
North West	NW
North West by North	NW by N
North North West	NNW
North by West	N by W

Cardinal point 

Related adjective
north	arctic or boreal
east	oriental
south	meridional or austral
west	occidental or hesperidan

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

compass

noun

1. A line around a closed figure or area:

ambit, circuit, circumference, perimeter, periphery.

2. The ability or power to seize or attain:

capacity, grasp, range, reach, scope.

3. An area within which something or someone exists, acts, or has influence or power:

ambit, extension, extent, orbit, purview, range, reach, realm, scope, sphere, sweep, swing.

verb

1. To encircle with or as if with a band:

band, begird, belt, cincture, encompass, engirdle, gird, girdle, girt, ring.

Archaic: engird.

2. To shut in on all sides:

begird, beset, circle, encircle, encompass, environ, gird, girdle, hedge, hem, ring, surround.

3. To perceive and recognize the meaning of:

accept, apprehend, catch (on), comprehend, conceive, fathom, follow, get, grasp, make out, read, see, sense, take, take in, understand.

Informal: savvy.

Slang: dig.

Chiefly British: twig.

Scots: ken.

Idioms: get a handle on, get the picture.

4. To perceive directly with the intellect:

apprehend, comprehend, fathom, grasp, know, understand.

Scots: ken.

The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

بُوصُلَةبوصَلَه، إبْرَةُ الملاّحينفِرْجار، بِركارمَدى، نِطاق

компас

kompaskružítkookruhbuzoladosah

kompasområdepasserrækkevidderamme

KompassUmkreisZirkelverbringenUmfang

διαβήτηςπυξίδα

kompaso

brújulacompásalcanceámbitoárea

kompass

kompassiäänialaalaalue

boussolecompasétendueportée

busolakompas

iránytûiránytűkörzõ

kompas

áttavitisirkillsviî, takmörk

bussolacompassoestensionegammaperimetro

コンパス

나침반

kompasaskompaso rožėribosskriestuvas

apjomscirkulisdiapazonskompass

kompasomvangomvattenomzwervensamenzweren

kompasspasserrekkevidde

kompas

bússolalimitealcanceâmbitoárea

busolă

компаскомпасный

kompaskružidlo

kompasšestilo

kompass

เข็มทิศ

pusulasahaalanpergel

la bàn

罗盘范围圆规指南针界限

compass

[ˈkʌmpəs]

A. N

1. (Naut etc) → brújula f

2. (Math) (usu pl) → compás m
a pair of compasses → un compás

3. (frm) (= range) → alcance m; (= area) → ámbito m
beyond my compass → fuera de mi alcance
within the compass of the plan → dentro de lo abarcado por el plan

B. VT (frm) (= cover, take in) → abarcar (liter) (= surround) → rodear

C. CPD compass card N (Naut) → rosa f de los vientos
compass course N → ruta f magnética
compass rose N = compass card

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

compass

[ˈkʌmpəs] n

(= instrument for finding directions) → boussole f
the points of the compass → les points cardinaux

(= extent, range) within the compass of → dans les limites de
beyond the compass of → hors de portée de, au-delà des limites de

(MATHEMATICS) = compasses

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

compass

n

→ Kompass m; by the compass → nach dem Kompass

compasses pl (also pair of compasses) → Zirkel m

(fig: = extent) → Rahmen m; (of human mind, experience) → Bereich m; (Mus, of voice) → Umfang m

vt = encompass compassed about with enemies (form) → von Feinden umzingelt

---

compass

:

compass bearing

n → Kompasspeilung f

compass card

n → Kompassscheibe f, → Windrose f

compass course

n → Navigationskurs m

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

compass

[ˈkʌmpəs] n

a. (Naut) → bussola

b. (Math) (a pair of) compasses → un compasso

c. (fig) (range) → portata
within the compass of → entro i limiti di

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

compass

(ˈkampəs)

noun.

1. an instrument with a magnetized needle, used to find directions. If he had carried a compass he would not have lost his way on the hills. kompas بوصَلَه، إبْرَةُ الملاّحين компас bússola kompas der Kompaß kompas πυξίδαbrújula kompass قطب نما kompassi boussoleמצפן कम्पास, कुतुबनुमा kompas, busola iránytű kompas áttaviti bussola 羅針盤 나침반 kompasas kompass kompas kompaskompasskompas قطب نما: ټك، بريد، سرحد: محوطه: كرښه، ليكه: يوه اّله چه دايروى خط په كاږى (پركار bússola busolă компас kompas kompas kompas kompass เข็มทิศ pusula 羅盤，指南針 компас قطب نما la bàn 罗盘，指南针

2. (in plural) an instrument with two movable legs, for drawing circles etc. kompas فِرْجار، بِركار пергел compasso kružítko der Zirkel passer διαβήτηςcompás sirkel پرگار harppi compasמחוגה परकार, वृत्त बनाने के लिए ज्यामीति का एक यंत्र šestar, šestilo körző jangka sirkill compasso コンパス 컴퍼스 skriestuvas cirkulis kompas passerpassercyrkiel دسيسه جوړول: دايره جوړول: دايره جوړول: احاطه كول compasso compas циркуль kružidlo šestilo šestar passare วงเวียน pergel 圓規 циркуль پُرکار compa 圆规

3. scope or range. omvang; bestek مَدى، نِطاق диапазон alcance okruh, dosah der Umkreis område; ramme; rækkevidde έκτασηalcance ulatus محدوده؛ گستره laajuus portée, étendueתחום दायरा opseg, doseg kiterjedés jangkauan svið, takmörk ambito, competenza 範囲 범위 apimtis, ribos diapazons; apjoms lingkungan bereikrekkevidde, omkretszasięg غايه، مقصد: ډګر: ذهنى وده، پراختيا، وسعت، انكشاف، پرمخ تګ alcance cuprins, întindere предел; диапазон okruh doseg, obseg raspon omfång, område ขอบเขต alan, saha 界限，範圍 обсяг; діапазон دسائی ، پہنچ phạm vi 界限，范围

compass rose

the circular drawing showing directions on a plan or map. windroos, kompasroos صورَة دائِرَة الأتِّجاهات геогр. показател rosa-dos-ventos směrová růžice kompasu die Kompaßrose kompasrose κυκλικά σχήματα σε χάρτη που δείχνουν κατευθύνσεις rosa de los vientos tuulteroos علامتی که برای مشخص کردن نقطه ای روی نقشه می کشند kompassiruusu rose des vents שוֹשָנַת הָרוּחוֹת नक्शा ruža kompasa szélrózsa mata angin áttavitarós rosa della bussola 羅針図 나침도 kompaso rožė debespušu norāde (uz kartes) arah kompas kompasroos kompassrose róża wiatrów قطب نما: ټك، بريد، سرحد: محوطه: كرښه، ليكه: يوه اّله چه دايروى خط په كاږى (پركار rosa-dos-ventos roza vânturilor картушка компаса smerová ružica vetrovnica ruža kompasa kompassros เครื่องหมายบอกทิศทางในแผนที่ harita üzerindeki pusula dairesi 地圖上的羅盤玫瑰 компасна роза نقشے پر سمتیں بتانے والی علامت vòng tròn định hướng trên bản đồ 罗经盘，表示方向的图案

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

compass

→ بُوصُلَة kompas kompas Kompass πυξίδα brújula kompassi boussole busola bussola コンパス 나침반 kompas kompass kompas bússola компас kompass เข็มทิศ pusula la bàn 罗盘

Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009