compass

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. 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.
2. n. Another device, such as a radio compass or a gyrocompass, used for determining geographic direction.
3. n. 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.
4. n. An enclosing line or boundary; a circumference: outside the compass of the fence. See Synonyms at circumference.
5. n. A restricted space or area: four huge crates within the compass of the elevator.
6. n. Range or scope, as of understanding, perception, or authority: "Lacking a coherent intellectual and moral commitment, [he] was forced to find his compass in personal experience” ( Doris Kearns Goodwin). See Synonyms at range.
7. n. Music See range.
8. v. To make a circuit of; circle: The sailboat compassed the island.
9. v. To surround; encircle. See Synonyms at surround.
10. v. To understand; comprehend.
11. v. To succeed in carrying out; accomplish. See Synonyms at reach.
12. v. To scheme; plot.
13. adj. Forming a curved configuration.
14. adj. Semicircular. Used of bow windows.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A circle.
2. n. Specifically—2. The circle of the earth.
3. n. A passing round or in a circle; a circular course; a circuit; round; circumference.
4. n. Range or extent within limits; hence, limit or boundary; limits.
5. n. In music, the total range or number of tones which a given voice or instrument is capable of producing. The compass of a single voice is usually from two to three octaves. The effective compass of a mixed chorus is about three octaves and two tones ; but exceptional singers extend this about an octave up and down. The compass of the modern pianoforte is usually seven octaves and three tones . The compass of the modern orchestra is about six octaves .
6. n. Contrivance; scheme; plotting; plan.
7. n. An instrument used to indicate the magnetic meridian, or the direction of objects with reference to that meridian. The mariners' or ship's compass consists of three parts, viz., the bowl, the card, and the needle. The bowl, which contains the card and needle, is usually a hemispherical brass receptacle, suspended by two concentric brass rings (called gimbals) in such a manner that the bowl is kept in a horizontal position, notwithstanding the motion of the ship. The circular card is divided into 32 equal parts by lines drawn from the center to the circumference, the points of intersection with the circumference (or the radial lines, or rhumbs, themselves) being called the points of the compass. The intervals between the points are also divided into halves and quarters. The whole circumference is divided into 360 degrees; consequently, the angle between any two adjoining points is 11° 15′ . The four principal divisions (dividing the circumference into four equal parts) are called the cardinal points, viz., north, east, south, and west. The names of the others are compounded of these; and if the direction or bearing referred to lies between any two points, quarter or half points are added, as N. E. by E. ½ E.; or it is expressed in degrees, as south 42° west. The needles, of which there are generally from two to four, fastened to the bottom of the card, consist either of laminæ or layers of hardened steel or of bundles of steel wire. In the center of the card is a conical socket poised on an upright pin fixed in the bottom of the bowl, so that the card hanging on the pin turns freely round its center. On shipboard the compass is so flxed that a black mark, called the lubber's line, coincides with an imaginary line parallel to the keel of the ship, and the point of the compass-card which is directly against this line indicates the direction of the ship's head. The indication is, however, subject to a certain modification, owing to the variation of the magnetic meridian (see variation) and the deviation of the needle caused by the iron in the ship (see deviation of the compass, under deviation). The regulation compass in the United States navy, and the one also used on many mail-steamers, is known as Ritchie's liquid compass, in which the card is a skeleton, and the bowl, having a glass top, after being filled with a fluid composed of about one third alcohol and two thirds water, is hermetically sealed.
8. n. A mathematical instrument for describing circles, or for measuring figures, distances between two points, etc.: commonly in the plural. Compasses consist of two pointed legs, movable on a joint or pivot, and are usually so made that the points can be detached for the insertion of a pen- or pencil-holder, an extension of the leg, etc. Also called dividers. (See bowcompasses, below.)
9. n. In zoology, the radius of the dentary apparatus of a sea-urchin. See radius, and cut under lantern.
10. n. In archery, elevation of the arrow in shooting.
11. n. To keep within bounds.
12. To stretch round; extend about so as to embrace; inclose; encircle; environ; surround.
13. To go about or round; make the circuit of.
14. To obtain; attain to; procure; gain; bring within one's power; accomplish.
15. To purpose; intend; imagine; plot; contrive.
16. To canvass; reflect upon; ponder.
17. To bend in the form of circle or curve; make circular or curved: as, to compass timber for a ship.
18. Synonyms To achieve, bring about, effect, secure.
19. In a compass or curve; in archery, at an elevation.
20. To the limit.
21. n. [capitalized] In astronomy, a small southern constellation.
22. To grasp mentally; comprehend.
23. To adjust or orient by means of a compass.
24. To level a compass.

Wiktionary

1. n. A magnetic or electronic device used to determine the cardinal directions (usually magnetic or true north).
2. n. A pair of compasses (a device used to draw an arc or circle).
3. n. music The range of notes of a musical instrument or voice.
4. n. obsolete A space within limits; area.
5. n. Scope.
6. v. To surround; to encircle; to environ; to stretch round.
7. v. To go about or round entirely; to traverse.
8. v. dated To accomplish; to reach; to achieve; to obtain.
9. v. dated To plot; to scheme (against someone).
10. adv. obsolete In a circuit; round about.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. A passing round; circuit; circuitous course.
2. n. An inclosing limit; boundary; circumference.
3. n. An inclosed space; an area; extent.
4. n. Extent; reach; sweep; capacity; sphere.
5. n. Moderate bounds, limits of truth; moderation; due limits; -- used with within.
6. n. (Mus.) The range of notes, or tones, within the capacity of a voice or instrument.
7. n. 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.
8. n. rare A pair of compasses.
9. n. obsolete A circle; a continent.
10. v. To go about or entirely round; to make the circuit of.
11. v. To inclose on all sides; to surround; to encircle; to environ; to invest; to besiege; -- used with about, round, around, and round about.
12. v. To reach round; to circumvent; to get within one's power; to obtain; to accomplish.
13. v. Obs. except in carpentry and shipbuilding. To curve; to bend into a circular form.
14. v. (Law) To purpose; to intend; to imagine; to plot.

WordNet 3.0

1. v. get the meaning of something
2. n. navigational instrument for finding directions
3. v. travel around, either by plane or ship
4. v. bring about; accomplish.
5. n. an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control:
6. n. the limit of capability
7. n. drafting instrument used for drawing circles