compass

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

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Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Derived terms 1.3.2 Translations 1.4 Verb 1.4.1 Quotations 1.4.2 Synonyms 1.4.3 Translations 1.5 Adverb 1.6 References

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

For noun: < Middle English compas (“‘a circle, circuit, limit, form, a mathematical instrument’”) < Old French compas < Mediaeval Latin compassus (“‘a circle, a circuit’”) < Latin com- (“‘together’”) + passus (“‘a pace, step, later a pass, way, route’”); see pass, pace.

For verb: < Middle English compassen (“‘to go around, make a circuit, draw a circle, contrive, intend’”) < Old French compasser; from the noun; see compass as a noun.

[edit] Pronunciation

• enPR: kŭmʹpəs, IPA: /ˈkʌm.pəs/, SAMPA: /kVm.p@s/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Noun

compass (plural compasses)

1. A magnetic or electronic device used to determine the cardinal directions (usually magnetic or true north).
2. A pair of compasses (a device used with a pencil to draw an arc or circle on paper).
3. The range of notes of a musical instrument or voice.
4. (obsolete) A space within limits; area.
   • 1763, M. Le Page Du Pratz, History of Louisiana (PG), p. 47.
     • In going up the Missisippi [sic], we meet with nothing remarkable before we come to the Detour aux Anglois, the English Reach: in that part the river takes a large compass.
5. scope
   • 1748. David Hume. Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. § 8.

     There is a truth and falsehood in all propositions on this subject, and a truth and falsehood, which lie not beyond the compass of human understanding.

[edit] Derived terms

beam compass bow compass compass card compass error compass needle compass plant compass point compass rose

compass swing gyrocompass magnetic compass mariner’s compass pair of compasses radio compass telltale compass

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

to compass (third-person singular simple present compasses, present participle compassing, simple past and past participle compassed)

1. To surround; to encircle; to environ; to stretch round.
2. To go about or round entirely; to traverse.
3. (Can we verify⁽⁺⁾ this sense?) To accomplish; to reach; to achieve; to obtain.
4. (Can we verify⁽⁺⁾ this sense?) To plot; to scheme (against someone).

[edit] Quotations

• 1611, King James Version of the Bible (Authorized Version), Genesis 2:13

  And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.

[edit] Synonyms

• (surround): encircle, environ, surround
• (go about or around entirely): cover, traverse
• (accomplish): accomplish, achieve, attain, gain, get to, reach
• (plot (against someone)): conspire, plot, scheme

[edit] Translations

[edit] Adverb

compass (comparative more compass, superlative most compass)

1. (obsolete) In a circuit; round about.
   • 1658, Near the same plot of ground, for about six yards compasse were digged up coals and incinerated substances — Sir Thomas Browne, Urne-Burial (Penguin 2005, p. 9)

[edit] References

• compass in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• compass in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913