compass

Definitions  ·  Examples  ·  Pronunciations  ·  Etymologies  ·  Related  ·  Statistics  ·  Comments (1)  · 

Definitions (87)

Toggle American Heritage Dictionary definitions American Heritage Dictionary (14)

  1. noun 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. noun Another device, such as a radio compass or a gyrocompass, used for determining geographic direction.
  3. noun 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. noun An enclosing line or boundary; a circumference: outside the compass of the fence. See Synonyms at circumference.
  5. noun A restricted space or area: four huge crates within the compass of the elevator.
  6. noun 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. noun Music See range.
  8. transitive verb To make a circuit of; circle: The sailboat compassed the island.
  9. transitive verb To surround; encircle. See Synonyms at surround.
  10. transitive verb To understand; comprehend.
  11. transitive verb To succeed in carrying out; accomplish. See Synonyms at reach.
  12. transitive verb To scheme; plot.
  13. adjective Forming a curved configuration.
  14. adjective Semicircular. Used of bow windows.

Toggle Century Dictionary definitions Century Dictionary (64)

  1. A circle. Chaucer. In myddes of that Chirche is a Compas, in the whiche Joseph of Aramathie leyde the Body of oure Lord, whan he had taken him down of the Croys: and there he wassched the Woundes of oure Lord: and that Compas, seye men, is the myddes of the World. Mandeville, Travels, p. 79.
  2. Specifically—2. The circle of the earth. All rounde the compas though man be sekyng, In all the worlde so noble king is noght As the kyng of Fraunce, certes, to be thought. Rom. of Partenay (E. E. T. S.), l. 6270.
  3. A passing round or in a circle; a circular course; a circuit; round; circumference. Men gon be the See Occean, be many Yles, unto an Yle that is clept Nacumera; that is a gret Yle and good and fayr: and it is in kompas aboute more than a 1000 Myle. Mandeville, Travels, p. 196. Time is come round, And where I did begin, there shall I end; My life is run his compass. Shak., J. C., v. 3. Taking leave of Cadenham, where we had ben long and nobly entertain'd, we went a compass into Leicestershire. Evelyn, Diary, July 31, 1654.
  4. Range or extent within limits; hence, limit or boundary; limits. O Juliet, I already know thy grief; It strains me past the compass of my wits. Shak., R. and J., iv. 1. And in that compass all the world contains. Dryden, tr. of Virgil's Georgics, ii. In the compass of three little words. Tennyson, Gardener's Daughter.
  5. 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 (1); but exceptional singers extend this about an octave up and down. The compass of the modern pianoforte is usually seven octaves and three tones (2). The compass of the modern orchestra is about six octaves (3).
  6. Contrivance; scheme; plotting; plan. Maugre Juno, Eneas, For al hir sleight and hir compas, Acheved al his aventure. Chaucer, House of Fame, l. 462.
  7. 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. Our Course by Stars above we cannot know, Without the Compass too below. Cowley, Reason, st. 5.
  8. 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.) In his hand He took the golden compasses, prepared In God's eternal store, to circumscribe This universe, and all created things. Milton, P. L., vii. 225.
  9. In zoology, the radius of the dentary apparatus of a sea-urchin. See radius, and cut under lantern.
  10. In archery, elevation of the arrow in shooting. Well acquainted with what compass his arrows would require in their flight. Strutt, Sports and Pastimes, p. 124.
  11. Amplitude compass. See amplitude.
  12. Azimuth compass. See azimuth.
  13. Boat-compass a small compass for use in boats.
  14. Bow-compasses the name given to several instruments for measuring distances, describing arcs, etc., having the two legs united at the top by a bow or spring so as to tend to move apart, the distance between the legs being adjusted by means of a screw and nut.
  15. Bullet-compasses compasses having a sphere at the end of one leg, which can be set in a hole; club-compasses.
  16. Dumb compass (nautical), an apparatus for taking bearings, consisting of a compass-card painted on wood or canvas or engraved on metal, and sometimes furnished with an alidade or sight-vanes. The point of the compass toward which the ship heads being adjusted on a line parallel with the ship's keel, the bearings of surrounding objects are easily determined.
  17. Extended compass in music, the range of a voice or of an instrument which goes beyond the ordinary limit.
  18. Fly of the mariners' compass. See fly.
  19. Hair-compasses compasses having a spring attached to the upper part of the inside of one of the legs, and pressing outward against the lower part of the other, thus constantly tending to keep the legs apart. By means of a finely threaded screw the spring can be compressed or relaxed with the utmost nicety, and the distance of the legs regulated to a hair's-breadth.
  20. Millwrights' compass a tool for laying off the dress on the face of a millstone.
  21. Napier's compasses. a draftsman's pocket-compasses, having a point and pencil pivoted to one leg. and a point and drawing-pen to the other. The legs are jointed so that the working ends can be folded inward when not in use.
  22. Oval compass a compass for describing ovals; an ellipsograph.
  23. Pair of compasses. Same as compass, 8.
  24. Proportional compasses see proportional.
  25. Standard compass in a ship, a compass, generally the one used as the azimuth compass, to which others are referred to ascertain their errors, and by which the ship is navigated.
  26. Steering-compass a compass situated in front of the steering-wheel, by which the helmsman is guided.
  27. The trine compass probably, the equinoctial circle and two colures, or by synecdoche the universe: but the Trinity, according to Tyrwhitt; the threefold world, containing earth, sea, and heaven, according to Skeat. The Eternal Love and Pees, That of the tryne compas lord and gyde is, Whom erthe and see and heven, out of relees, Ay herien. Chaucer, Second Nun's Tale, l. 45.
  28. To box the compass. See box, verb
  29. To fetch a compass to make a circuit or detour. Landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium. Acts xxviii. 12, 13.
  30. To keep compass. In archery, to observe a due elevation of the arrow in shooting. She'll keep a surer compass; I have too strong a confidence to mistrust her. Ford and Dekker, Witch of Edmonton, ii. 2.
  31. To keep compass. To keep within bounds. Nares. Some pressed the queen, that he [the fool] should come to her, undertaking for him that he should keep compass. King James, A pothegms, 1669.
  32. Triangular compasses. See triangular.
  33. Within compass within bounds. I speak much within compass; for the Savannahs would at present feed 1000 Head of Cattle besides Goats. Dampier, Voyages, I. 88.
  34. To stretch round; extend about so as to embrace; inclose; encircle; environ; surround. With favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. Ps. v. 12. Now, all the blessings Of a glad father compass thee about! Shak., Tempest, v. 1. This parlor was lined with oak; fine, dark, glossy panels compassed the walls gloomily and grandly. Charlotte Bronte, Shirley, xi. Compass'd by the inviolate sea. Tennyson, To the Queen.
  35. To go about or round; make the circuit of. The seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times. Josh. vi. 4.
  36. To obtain; attain to; procure; gain; bring within one's power; accomplish. 'Tis but her picture I have yet beheld. And that hath dazzled my reason's light: … If I can check my erring love, I will; If not, to compass her I'll use my skill. Shak., T. G. of V., ii. 4. Earl Richard having given infinitely to compass his Advancement, looked to help himself again by the Place. Baker, Chronicles, p. 85. The man who strives to bring in a future state of things which is still so distant that none but himself sees it to be future, will certainly not compass his object. E. A. Freeman, Amer. Lects., p. 221.
  37. To purpose; intend; imagine; plot; contrive. [Obsolete except as a legal term.] And somme to dyuyne and dyuyde numbres to kenne, And craftely [skilfully] to compassen. and colours to make. Piers Plowman (C), xxii. 241. Compassing and imagining the death of the king are synonymous terms; compass signifying the purpose or design of the mind or will, and not, as in common speech, the carrying such design to effect. Blackstone.
  38. To canvass; reflect upon; ponder. Mony day he endurit in his depe thoght, And ay compast the cases in his clene hert. Destruction of Troy (E. E. T. S.), l. 10115.
  39. To bend in the form of a circle or curve; make circular or curved: as, to compass timber for a ship. [Obsolete except in carpentry.] To be compassed, like a good bilbo, in the circumference of a peck. Shak., M. W. of W., iii. 5.
  40. Synonyms To achieve, bring about, effect, secure.
  41. In a compass or curve; in archery, at an elevation. They were fastened on the right shoulder, and fell compass down the back in gracious folds. B. Jonson, Masque of Hymen. Shoot not so much compass; be brief, and answer me. Shirley, Grateful Servant, v. 1. Their arrows were all shot compass, so as our men, standing single, could easily see and avoid them. Winthrop, Hist. New England, I. 236.
  42. To the limit. I have now lyued compasse, for Adams olde Apron must make Eue a new Kirtle. Lyly, Euphues and his England, p. 323.
  43. [capitalized] In astronomy, a small southern constellation.
  44. Compass caliper. See caliper.
  45. Compass corrections (nautical), the quantities (points or degrees) which must be applied to courses or bearings in order to obtain correct magnetic readngs.
  46. Compass course the course steered by compass, independent of leeway, variation, deviation, currents, send of the sea, etc.
  47. Compensated compass a compass which has been corrected for deviation by the employment of magnets.
  48. Declination compass a compass arranged to measure the variation of the magnetic needle from the astronomical meridian.
  49. Demagnetized compass a compass the needle of which has lost its magnetism. Electric disturbances have been known to produce this effect.
  50. Dry-card compass. Same as dry compass.
  51. Dry compass a compass which is inclosed in an air-instead of a liquid-chamber: also known as a dry-card-compass.
  52. Elevated compass any compass that is elevated beyond the influence of the ship's iron, which, being more or less magnetized, is liable seriously to affect the pointing of the magnetic needle. Under this head are included masthead, pole, and tripod compasses.
  53. Hanging compass a tell-tale compass; an inverted compass; one that is suspended face downward from a deck beam.
  54. Liquid compass a compass the card of which is inclosed and completely submerged in a chamber tilled generally with 35 parts of alcohol and 65 parts of distilled water, the freezing-point of the mixture being —10° F. Compasses used in arctic work have their bowls filled with pure alcohol. The disadvantage of undiluted alcohol is that it eats the paint on the card. The Germans have successfully used refined oil for their liquid compasses.
  55. Masthead compass a compass placed aloft at the lower masthead in order to elevate it above the influence of the iron in the ship's hull, deck-fittings, machinery, etc.
  56. Oil-compass a liquid compass the card of which floats in oil instead of in alcohol.
  57. Pole-compass a compass elevated above the deck on the end of a pole, access to it being had by means of a short ladder. It is supposed to be sufficiently high above the deck to be removed from the sphere of influence of the ship's iron.
  58. Solar compass an apparatus, invented by Burt in 1836, attached to a surveyor's theodolite, and enabling the observer to determine the true meridian by a simple setting of the sights upon the sun. In the later forms a small telescope is used instead of sights, and the apparatus is called a solar attachment, of which there are various forms.
  59. Spirit compass. Same as liquid compass.
  60. Tripod-compass a compass so named from the three-legged stand on which it is elevated: a form of pole-compass.
  61. Weber's compass a form of esthesiometer.
  62. To grasp mentally; comprehend. “Forebodings of ill … that cannot be compassed.” Longfellow.
  63. To adjust or orient by means of a compass.
  64. To level a compass.

Toggle GNU Webster's 1913 definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (2)

  1. A passing round; circuit; circuitous course.
  2. To go about or entirely round; to make the circuit of.

Toggle WordNet definitions WordNet (7)

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

Recent Lookups

Daffy · Punished · plenus · hydrographic · minuteman

Recent Favorites

supine · doxastic · bissextile day · airship · cloud-shadows

Recent Pronunciations

milosrdenstvi · lichen-covered · futon · sagacity · monoragngocious