Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

compasses

 - 3 dictionary results
The Compass Store
A compass for every adventure. Recreational and professional.
www.TheCompassStore.com
Brunton Compasses Sale
Buy the Brunton Compasses Online. In Stock - Fast Shipping!
www.LeathermanStore.com/Brunton
Low Prices on Compasses
Prices starting at only $0.59. Same day shipping.
www.a1components.com/Compasses

com⋅pass

  [kuhm-puhs]
Use compasses in a Sentence
–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. due 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. (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.
–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. to make curved or circular.
15. to comprehend; to grasp, as with the mind: His mind could not compass the extent of the disaster.
Origin:
1250–1300; (v.) ME compassen < OF compasser to measure < VL *compāssāre, equiv. to compāss(us) equal step (L com- com- + pāssus pace 1 ) + -āre v. suffix; (n.) ME compas < OF, deriv. of compasser

Related forms:
com⋅pass⋅a⋅ble, adjective
com⋅pass⋅less, adjective

Synonyms:
3. See range.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To compasses
The Compass Store
A compass for every adventure. Recreational and professional.
www.TheCompassStore.com
Brunton Compasses Sale
Buy the Brunton Compasses Online. In Stock - Fast Shipping!
www.LeathermanStore.com/Brunton
com·pass   (kŭm'pəs, kŏm'-)   
n.  

    1. 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.

    2. Another device, such as a radio compass or a gyrocompass, used for determining geographic direction.

    3. An enclosing line or boundary; a circumference: outside the compass of the fence. See Synonyms at circumference.

    4. A restricted space or area: four huge crates within the compass of the elevator.

    5. 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.

  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.

    1. An enclosing line or boundary; a circumference: outside the compass of the fence. See Synonyms at circumference.

    2. A restricted space or area: four huge crates within the compass of the elevator.

    3. 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.


[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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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 1387. The mariners' directional tool (so called since early 15c.) took the 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 Gmc., and both in Eng.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see compasses on Thesaurus | Reference
Low Prices on Compasses
Prices starting at only $0.59. Same day shipping.
www.a1components.com/Compasses
The Compass Company Store
Personal & Corporate Compass Gifts Take yourself on a journey!
www.thecompasscompany.com
Compasses
Check Out Local.com To Find Compasses In Your Area!
Local.com
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way