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compass

[ kuhm-puhs ]

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 broad compass of the novel.

    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. Astronomy.
    1. Compass. Also called Mar·i·ner's Com·pass [mar, -, uh, -nerz , kuhm, -p, uh, s]. the constellation Pyxis.
    2. Compasses, the constellation Circinus.


adjective

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

    a compass timber;

    compass roof.

verb (used with object)

  1. to go or move round; make the circuit of:

    It would take a week to compass his property on foot.

  2. to extend or stretch around; hem in; surround; encircle:

    An old stone wall compasses their property.

  3. to attain or achieve; accomplish; obtain:

    To have compassed this task in the limited time available is no mean achievement.

  4. to contrive; plot; scheme:

    to compass a treacherous plan.

  5. to make curved or circular.
  6. to comprehend; to grasp, as with the mind:

    His mind could not compass the extent of the disaster.

compass

/ ˈʌə /

noun

  1. an instrument for finding direction, usually having a magnetized needle which points to magnetic north swinging freely on a pivot
  2. Also calledpair 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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to encircle or surround; hem in
  2. to comprehend or grasp mentally
  3. to achieve; attain; accomplish
  4. obsolete.
    to plot
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

compass

/ ŭə /

  1. A device used to determine geographical direction, usually consisting of a magnetic needle mounted on a pivot, aligning itself naturally with the Earth's magnetic field so that it points to the Earth's geomagnetic north or south pole.
  2. A device used for drawing circles and arcs and for measuring distances on maps, consisting of two legs hinged together at one end.
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Derived Forms

  • ˈdz貹, adjective
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Other yvlog Forms

  • dz·貹·· adjective
  • dz·貹· adjective
  • dzܳ·dz·貹 verb (used with object)
  • ·dz·貹 verb (used with object) noun
  • un·dz·貹·· adjective
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of compass1

First recorded in 1250–1300; (verb) Middle English compassen, from Old French compasser “to measure,” from unattested Vulgar Latin dz, equivalent to dz(ܲ), “equal step” ( Latin com- com- + ܲ pace 1 ) + - verb suffix; (noun) Middle English compas, from Old French, derivative of compasser
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of compass1

C13: from Old French compas, from compasser to measure, from Vulgar Latin dz貹 (unattested) to pace out, ultimately from Latin passus step
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Synonym Study

See range.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He is Muslim, and in the past has said, “My religion drives my moral compass, but it’s not everything that I am.”

From

The potential change was criticised by the Liberal Democrats, who said Labour is "at risk of losing its moral compass".

From

“I don’t need him to be my moral compass. I don’t need him to be my pastor. I’m more concerned about things that affect me personally, selfishly — taxes, inflation,” Sims said.

From

When do you stop chasing the dream and recalibrate your moral compass?

From

Libbi was "the glue that held the family together", its "moral compass".

From

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