Lexic.us

Definition of Compass

1. Noun. Navigational instrument for finding directions.

2. Verb. Bring about; accomplish. "This writer attempts more than his talents can compass"

3. Noun. An area in which something acts or operates or has power or control:. "In the political orbit of a world power"

4. Verb. Travel around, either by plane or ship. "We compassed the earth"

5. Noun. The limit of capability. "Within the compass of education"

6. Verb. Get the meaning of something. "Sam and Sue compass the movie "; "Do you comprehend the meaning of this letter?"

7. Noun. Drafting instrument used for drawing circles.

Definition of Compass

1. n. A passing round; circuit; circuitous course.

2. v. t. To go about or entirely round; to make the circuit of.

Definition of Compass

1. Noun. A magnetic or electronic device used to determine the cardinal directions (usually magnetic or true north). ¹

2. Noun. A pair of compasses (a device used to draw an arc or circle). ¹

3. Noun. The range of notes of a musical instrument or voice. ¹

4. Noun. (obsolete) A space within limits; area. ¹

5. Noun. Scope. ¹

6. Verb. To surround; to encircle; to environ; to stretch round. ¹

7. Verb. To go about or round entirely; to traverse. ¹

8. Verb. (dated) To accomplish; to reach; to achieve; to obtain. ¹

9. Verb. (dated) To plot; to scheme (against someone). ¹

10. Adverb. (obsolete) In a circuit; round about. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Compass

1. to go around [v -ED, -ING, -ES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Compass

compartmentalized compartmentalizer compartmentalizers compartmentalizes compartmentalizing compartmentation compartmentations compartmented compartmenting compartmentlike

compartments compartner compartners comparts compas

Literary usage of Compass

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Principles and Practice of Surveying by Charles Blaney Breed, George Leonard Hosmer (1908)
"THE POCKET compass. — The pocket compass is a small hand instrument for obtaining ... The former is much like the surveyor's compass, except that it has ..."

2. United States Supreme Court Reports by Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Company, United States Supreme Court (1890)
"In order to be seaworthy the steamer must have been supplied with a good and reliable compass or compasses, which must have been kept in proper repair and ..."

3. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society Held at Philadelphia for by American Philosophical Society (1917)
"VII REMARKS ON THE compass IN AERONAUTICS. BY LOUIS A. BAUER. The few remarks which I am able to contribute to the discussion of the papers we have just had ..."

4. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London by Royal Society (Great Britain) (1862)
"The following communication was read:— " On the Effect produced on the Deviation of the compass by the Length and Arrangement of the compass Needles; ..."

5. The Quarterly Review by William Gifford, George Walter Prothero, John Gibson Lockhart, John Murray, Whitwell Elwin, John Taylor Coleridge, Rowland Edmund Prothero Ernle, William Macpherson, William Smith (1865)
"Admiralty Manual on Deviations of the compass. Edited by FJ Evans, RN, FRS, ... Hules for Clearing the compass of the Effect of a Ship's Attraction. ..."

6. Field Geology by Frederic Henry Lahee (1917)
"Use of compass and Clinometer.—Strike (11) is measured by means of a compass. ... In taking strike, hold the compass so that its face is horizontal and its ..."

7. Proceedings of the United States Naval Institute by United States Naval Institute (1897)
"The notable improvement in the construction of the chart compass inaugurated within the last ten years in the United States, and since then also in other ..."

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