compass

Meanings

Noun

• A magnetic or electronic device used to determine the cardinal directions (usually magnetic or true north).
• A pair of compasses (a device used to draw an arc or circle).
• The range of notes of a musical instrument or voice.
• A space within limits; an area.
• An enclosing limit; a boundary, a circumference.
• Moderate bounds, limits of truth; moderation; due limits; used with within.
• Scope.
• Range, reach.
• A passing round; circuit; circuitous course.

Verb

• To surround; to encircle; to environ; to stretch round.
• To go about or round entirely; to traverse.
• To accomplish; to reach; to achieve; to obtain.
• To plot; to scheme (against someone).

Adverb

• In a circuit; round about.

Related

Similar words

• magnetic compass
• pair of compasses
• encircle, environ, surround
• cover, traverse
• accomplish, achieve, attain, gain, get to, reach
• conspire, plot, scheme

Narrower meaning words

• beam compass

Origin

• From Middle English compas ("a circle, circuit, limit, form, a mathematical instrument"), from Old French compas, from Medieval Latin compassus ("a circle, a circuit"), from Latin com- ("together") + passus; see pass, pace.
• From Middle English compassen ("to go around, make a circuit, draw a circle, contrive, intend"), from Old French compasser; from the noun; see compass as a noun.