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noun
1.
an instrument for determining directions, as by means of a freely rotating magnetized needle that indicates magnetic north.
2.
the enclosing line or limits of any area; perimeter: You can find anything you want downtown within the compass of ten square blocks.
3.
space within limits; area; extent; range; scope: the narrow compass of the strait; the broad compass of the novel.
4.
Also called range. the total range of tones of a voice or of a musical instrument.
5.
EXPANDdue or proper limits; moderate bounds: Their behavior stayed within the compass of propriety.
6.
a passing round; circuit: the compass of a year.
7.
Often, compasses. an instrument for drawing or describing circles, measuring distances, etc., consisting generally of two movable, rigid legs hinged to each other at one end (usually used with pair of): to spread the legs of a compass and draw a larger circle.
8.
COLLAPSE(initial capital letter) Astronomy.
a.
Also called Mariner's Compass. the constellation Pyxis.
b.
Compasses, the constellation Circinus.
adjective
9.
curved; forming a curve or arc: a compass timber; compass roof.
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Compasses
is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
verb (used with object)
10.
to go or move round; make the circuit of: It would take a week to compass his property on foot.
11.
to extend or stretch around; hem in; surround; encircle: An old stone wall compasses their property.
12.
to attain or achieve; accomplish; obtain.
13.
to contrive; plot; scheme: to compass a treacherous plan.
14.
EXPANDto make curved or circular.
15.
COLLAPSEto comprehend; to grasp, as with the mind: His mind could not compass the extent of the disaster.
Origin:
1250–1300; (v.) Middle English compassen < Old French compasser to measure < Vulgar Latin *compāssāre, equivalent to compāss(us) equal step (Latin com- com- + pāssus pace1) + -āre v. suffix; (noun) Middle English compas < Old French, derivative of compasser
1250–1300; (v.) Middle English compassen < Old French compasser to measure < Vulgar Latin *compāssāre, equivalent to compāss(us) equal step (Latin com- com- + pāssus pace1) + -āre v. suffix; (noun) Middle English compas < Old French, derivative of compasser
Related forms
com·pass·a·ble, adjective
com·pass·less, adjective
out·com·pass, verb (used with object)
pre·com·pass, verb (used with object), noun
un·com·pass·a·ble, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To compasses
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
compass
c.1300, "space, area, extent," from O.Fr. compas, from compasser "to go around, measure, divide equally," from V.L. *compassare "to pace out," from L. com- "together" + passus "a step." The mathematical instrument so called from late 14c. The mariners' directional tool (so called since early 15c.) took
EXPANDthe name, perhaps, because it's round and has a point like the mathematical instrument. The word is in most European languages, with a mathematical sense in Romance, a nautical sense in Germanic, and both in English.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
compass  (kŭm'pəs) Pronunciation Key
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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