Compass vs. Compasses
Compass and Compasses Definitions
Compass
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.
Compasses
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.
Compass
Another device, such as a radio compass or a gyrocompass, used for determining geographic direction.
Compasses
Another device, such as a radio compass or a gyrocompass, used for determining geographic direction.
Compass
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.
Compasses
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.
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Compass
Awareness or understanding of one's purpose or objectives
"Lacking a coherent intellectual and moral commitment, [he] was forced to find his compass in personal experience" (Doris Kearns Goodwin).
Compasses
Awareness or understanding of one's purpose or objectives
"Lacking a coherent intellectual and moral commitment, [he] was forced to find his compass in personal experience" (Doris Kearns Goodwin).
Compass
An enclosing line or boundary; a circumference
Outside the compass of the fence.
Compasses
An enclosing line or boundary; a circumference
Outside the compass of the fence.
Compass
A restricted space or area
Four huge crates within the compass of the elevator.
Compasses
A restricted space or area
Four huge crates within the compass of the elevator.
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Compass
Range or scope, as of understanding, perception, or authority
The subject falls outside the compass of this study.
Compasses
Range or scope, as of understanding, perception, or authority
The subject falls outside the compass of this study.
Compass
(Music) See range.
Compasses
(Music) See range.
Compass
To make a circuit of; circle
The sailboat compassed the island.
Compasses
To make a circuit of; circle
The sailboat compassed the island.
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Compass
To surround; encircle
The trees compass the grave.
Compasses
To surround; encircle
The trees compass the grave.
Compass
To understand; comprehend
"God ... is too great a profundity to be compassed by human cerebration" (Flann O'Brian).
Compasses
To understand; comprehend
"God ... is too great a profundity to be compassed by human cerebration" (Flann O'Brian).
Compass
To accomplish or bring about
"He compassed his end only by the exercise of gentle violence" (Henry James).
Compasses
To accomplish or bring about
"He compassed his end only by the exercise of gentle violence" (Henry James).
Compass
To gain or achieve
"She had compassed the high felicity of seeing the two men beautifully take to each another" (Henry James).
Compasses
To gain or achieve
"She had compassed the high felicity of seeing the two men beautifully take to each another" (Henry James).
Compass
To scheme; plot
Compass the death of the king.
Compasses
To scheme; plot
Compass the death of the king.
Compass
Forming a curve.
Compasses
Forming a curve.
Compass
A magnetic or electronic device used to determine the cardinal directions (usually magnetic or true north).
Compasses
An instrument for describing circles, measuring figures, etc., consisting of two, or (rarely) more, pointed branches, or legs, usually joined at the top by a rivet on which they move.
Compass
A pair of compasses (a device used to draw an arc or circle).
Compass
(music) The range of notes of a musical instrument or voice.
Compass
(obsolete) A space within limits; an area.
Compass
(obsolete) An enclosing limit; a boundary, a circumference.
Within the compass of an encircling wall
Compass
Moderate bounds, limits of truth; moderation; due limits; used with within.
Compass
(archaic) Scope.
Compass
(obsolete) Range, reach.
Compass
(obsolete) A passing round; circuit; circuitous course.
Compass
To surround; to encircle; to environ; to stretch round.
Compass
To go about or round entirely; to traverse.
Compass
(dated) To accomplish; to reach; to achieve; to obtain.
Compass
(dated) To plot; to scheme (against someone).
Compass
(obsolete) In a circuit; round about.
Compass
A passing round; circuit; circuitous course.
They fetched a compass of seven day's journey.
This day I breathed first; time is come round,And where I did begin, there shall I end;My life is run his compass.
Compass
An inclosing limit; boundary; circumference; as, within the compass of an encircling wall.
Compass
An inclosed space; an area; extent.
Their wisdom . . . lies in a very narrow compass.
Compass
Extent; reach; sweep; capacity; sphere; as, the compass of his eye; the compass of imagination.
The compass of his argument.
Compass
Moderate bounds, limits of truth; moderation; due limits; - used with within.
In two hundred years before (I speak within compass), no such commission had been executed.
Compass
The range of notes, or tones, within the capacity of a voice or instrument.
You would sound me from my lowest note to the top of my compass.
Compass
An instrument for determining directions upon the earth's surface by means of a magnetized bar or needle turning freely upon a pivot and pointing in a northerly and southerly direction.
He that first discovered the use of the compass did more for the supplying and increase of useful commodities than those who built workhouses.
Compass
A pair of compasses.
To fix one foot of their compass wherever they please.
Compass
A circle; a continent.
The tryne compas [the threefold world containing earth, sea, and heaven. Skeat.]
Its leaves are turned to the north as true as the magnet:This is the compass flower.
Compass
To go about or entirely round; to make the circuit of.
Ye shall compass the city seven times.
We the globe can compass soon.
Compass
To inclose on all sides; to surround; to encircle; to environ; to invest; to besiege; - used with about, round, around, and round about.
With terrors and with clamors compassed round.
Now all the blessingsOf a glad father compass thee about.
Thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round.
Compass
To reach round; to circumvent; to get within one's power; to obtain; to accomplish.
If I can check my erring love, I will:If not, to compass her I'll use my skill.
How can you hope to compass your designs?
Compass
To curve; to bend into a circular form.
Compass
To purpose; to intend; to imagine; to plot.
Compassing and imagining the death of the king are synonymous terms; compassing signifying the purpose or design of the mind or will, and not, as in common speech, the carrying such design to effect.
Compass
Navigational instrument for finding directions
Compass
An area in which something acts or operates or has power or control:
The range of a supersonic jet
The ambit of municipal legislation
Within the compass of this article
Within the scope of an investigation
Outside the reach of the law
In the political orbit of a world power
Compass
The limit of capability;
Within the compass of education
Compass
Drafting instrument used for drawing circles
Compass
Bring about; accomplish;
This writer attempts more than his talents can compass
Compass
Travel around, either by plane or ship;
We compassed the earth
Compass
Get the meaning of something;
Do you comprehend the meaning of this letter?
