compass
Meaning
-
- A magnetic or electronic device used to determine the cardinal directions (usually magnetic or true north).
- A pair of compasses (a device used to draw circular arcs and transfer length measurements).
- The range of notes of a musical instrument or voice.
- (obsolete) A space within limits; an area.
- (obsolete) An enclosing limit; a boundary, a circumference.
- Moderate bounds, limits of truth; moderation; due limits; used with within.
- Synonym of scope.
- (obsolete) Range, reach.
- (obsolete) A passing round; circuit; circuitous course.
Synonyms
little box
magnetic needle
parcel of land
circuitous course
half-round
piece of ground
piece of land
drafting instrument
territorial dominion
ulteriority
grasp with the mind
compass about
big bear
semicrcular
bearing bar
borough
Frequency
Hyphenated as
com‧pass
Pronounced as (IPA)
/ˈkʌmpəs/
Etymology
In summary
From Middle English compas (“a circle, circuit, limit, form, a mathematical instrument”), from Old French compas, from Medieval Latin compassus (“a circle, a circuit”), from Latin com- (“together”) + passus (“a pace, step, later a pass, way, route”); see pass, pace.
Related words
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Notes