First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1compass
verb com·pass \ˈkəm-pəs also ˈkäm-\
Definition of COMPASS
transitive verb
1
: to devise or contrive often with craft or skill : plot <persons … who have compassed my destruction — Charles Dickens>
2
3
a : bring about, achieve b : to get into one's possession or power : obtain
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Origin of COMPASS
Middle English, from Anglo-French cumpasser to measure, from Vulgar Latin *compassare to pace off, from Latin com- + passus pace
Related to COMPASS
- Synonyms
- accomplish, achieve, bring off, carry off, carry out, commit, perform, do, execute, follow through (with), fulfill (or fulfil), make, negotiate, perpetrate, prosecute, pull off, put through
- Antonyms
- miss
2compass
noun
: a device that is used to find direction by means of a needle that always points north
: something that helps a person make choices about what is right, effective, etc.
: a tool that consists of two pointed sticks joined at the top and that is used for measuring distances
Full Definition of COMPASS
1
a : boundary, circumference <within the compass of the city walls> b : a circumscribed space <within the narrow compass of 21 pages — V. L. Parrington> c : range, scope <the compass of my voice>
2
: a curved or roundabout course <a compass of seven days' journey — 2 Kings 3:9(Authorized Version)>
3
a : a device for determining directions by means of a magnetic needle or group of needles turning freely on a pivot and pointing to the magnetic north b : any of various nonmagnetic devices that indicate direction c : an instrument for describing circles or transferring measurements that consists of two pointed branches joined at the top by a pivot —usually used in plural —called also pair of compasses
4
: direction 6c <his moral compass>
See compass defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of COMPASS
14th century
Synonym Discussion of COMPASS
range, gamut, compass, sweep, scope, orbit mean the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control). range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities <the entire range of human experience>. gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another <a performance that ran the gamut of emotions>. compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity <your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study>. sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity <the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity>. scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible <as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened>. orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation <within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change>.
Rhymes with COMPASS
3compass
adjective
COMPASS Defined for Kids
compass
noun com·pass \ˈkəm-pəs\
Definition of COMPASS for Kids
1
: a device having a magnetic needle that indicates direction on the earth's surface by pointing toward the north
2
: an instrument for drawing circles or marking measurements consisting of two pointed legs joined at the top by a pivot —usually used in pl.
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