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compass
(kʌmpəs)
Word forms: plural compasses
1. countable noun
A compass is an instrument that you use for finding directions. It has a dial and a magnetic needle that always points to the north.
We had to rely on a compass and a lot of luck to get here.
2. plural noun [oft a pair of NOUN]
Compasses are a hinged V-shaped instrument that you use for drawing circles.
3. countable noun [usually singular, with supplement]
If something is within the compass of something or someone, it is within their limits or abilities.
[formal] Within the compass of a normal sized book such a comprehensive survey was not practicable.
Synonyms: range, field, area, reach More Synonyms of compass
More Synonyms of compass
compass in British English
(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 (transitive)
6.
to encircle or surround; hem in
7.
to comprehend or grasp mentally
8.
to achieve; attain; accomplish
9. obsolete
to plot
Derived forms
compassable (ˈcompassable) adjective
Word origin
C13: from Old French compas, from compasser to measure, from Vulgar Latin compassāre (unattested) to pace out, ultimately from Latin passus stepcompass in American English
(ˈkʌmpəs; also ˈkɑmpəs)
verb transitive
1. Archaic
to go around; make a circuit of
2.
encompass (sense 1)
3.
to grasp mentally; understand; comprehend
4.
to reach successfully; achieve; accomplish
to compass one's ends
5.
to plot or contrive (something harmful)
noun
6. [often pl.]
an instrument consisting of two pointed legs connected at one end by a pivot, used for drawing arcs or circles or for taking measurements
: also called pair of compasses7.
a boundary line; circumference
8.
an enclosed area
9.
full extent or range; reach; scope; specif., range of tones, as of a voice
10.
any of various instruments for showing direction, esp. one consisting of a magnetic needle swinging freely on a pivot andpointing to the magnetic north
11. Archaic
a circuit; course
adjective
12.
round; circular or semicircular
SIMILAR WORDS: range
Derived forms
compassable (ˈcompassable) adjective
Word origin
ME compassen < OFr compasser, to go around < VL *compassare < L com-, together + passus, a step: see pace1Image ofcompass
© dencg, Shutterstock
Examples of 'compass' in a sentencecompass
In other languagescompass
British English: compass /ˈkʌmpəs/ NOUN
A compass is an instrument that you use for finding directions. It has a dial and a magnetic needle that always points to the north.
We had to use a compass to get here.
- American English: compass
- Arabic: بُوصُلَة
- Brazilian Portuguese: bússola
- Chinese: 罗盘
- Croatian: busola
- Czech: kompas
- Danish: kompas
- Dutch: kompas
- European Spanish: brújula
- Finnish: kompassi
- French: boussole
- German: Kompass
- Greek: πυξίδα
- Italian: bussola
- Japanese: コンパス
- Korean: 나침반
- Norwegian: kompass
- Polish: kompas
- European Portuguese: bússola
- Romanian: busolă
- Russian: компас
- Latin American Spanish: brújula
- Swedish: kompass
- Thai: เข็มทิศ
- Turkish: pusula
- Ukrainian: компас
- Vietnamese: la bàn
All related terms of 'compass'
Chinese translation of 'compass'
compass
(ˈkʌmpəs)
n (c)
- (for finding direction)
指南针(針)
(zhǐnánzhēn) (个(個), gè) - (for drawing circles) (also pair of compasses)
圆(圓)规(規)
(yuánguī) (个(個), gè)beyond/within the compass of (frm)超出/在 ... 的范(範)围(圍)
(chāochū/zài ... de fànwéi)
1 (noun)
Definition
limits or range
Within the compass of a book of this size, such a comprehensive survey is not practicable.
Synonyms
range
The trees on the mountain within my range of vision had all been felled.
field
Our field of vision is surprisingly wide.
area
Although large in area, the flat did not have many rooms.
reach
Luckily, the phone was in easy reach.
scope
the scope of a novel
sphere
the sphere of international politics
limit
the city limits
stretch
It's a very dangerous stretch of road.
bound
extent
an estate about seven or eight acres in extent
zone
The area has been declared a disaster zone.
boundary
realm
the realm of politics
2 (noun)
Synonyms
range
round
The consultant did his morning round.
circle
safe within the circle of his arms
circuit
She made a slow circuit of the room.
enclosure
circumference
(verb)
The Christians fled when they saw the city being compassed with armies.
Synonyms
surround
The church was surrounded by a rusted wrought-iron fence.
invest (rare)
enclose
The land was enclosed by an eight-foot wire fence.
blockade
encompass
Egypt is encompassed by the Mediterranean, Sudan, the Red Sea and Libya.
besiege
The main part of the army moved to besiege the town.
beset
encircle
A forty-foot-high concrete wall encircles the jail.
circumscribe
hem in
environ
subject word lists
Additional synonyms
in the sense of area
Definition
range or scope
Although large in area, the flat did not have many rooms.
Synonyms
range,
reach,
size,
sweep,
extent,
scope,
sphere,
domain,
width,
compass,
breadth,
parameters (informal),
latitude,
expanse,
radius,
ambit,
footprintin the sense of beset
Definition
to surround or attack from all sides
Synonyms
attack,
surround,
enclose,
encompass,
besiege,
encircle,
assail,
hem in,
environin the sense of besiege
Definition
to hem in
The main part of the army moved to besiege the town.
Synonyms
surround,
confine,
enclose,
blockade,
encompass,
beset,
encircle,
close in on,
hem in,
shut in,
lay siege to,
hedge in,
environ,
beleaguer,
invest (rare)
Synonyms of 'compass'
compass
Explore 'compass' in the dictionary
- to be anxious to do sth
- to be a one-man show
- to be a one-way street
- to be a pain (in the neck)
- to be apart
- to be (a) party to sth
- to be apologetic about ...
- to be appalled by/at sth
- to be appalled that ...
- to be apprenticed to sb
- to be approved by sb
- to be apt to do sth
- to bear a passing resemblance to sth/sb
- to bear a strong resemblance to
- to be a reflection on sb/sth
- to be a republican/royalist to the core
- to bear fruit
- to-bear-in-mind
- to bear in mind to keep sth in mind
- to bear no relation to
- to bear no resemblance/relation to
- to bear or keep sth in mind
- to be aroused
- to be arranged by sb
- to be arrested on suspicion of murder