compass
- 1) noun, an instrument for finding direction, usually having a magnetized needle which points to magnetic north swinging freely on a pivot
- 2) noun, Also called: pair of compasses 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) noun, limits or range
- 4) noun, music the interval between the lowest and highest note attainable by a voice or musical instrument
- 5) noun, a circular course
- 6) verb, to encircle or surround; hem in
- 7) verb, to comprehend or grasp mentally
- 8) verb, to achieve; attain; accomplish
- 9) verb, to plot
Etymology
C13: from Old French compas, from compasser to measure, from Vulgar Latin compassāre (unattested) to pace out, ultimately from Latin passus step
Collins English Electronic Dictionary - Digital Edition: 2008 © HarperCollins Publishers 2008
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Synonyms
range, field, area, reach, scope, sphere, limit, stretch, bound, extent, zone, boundary, realm