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com-pass CITE
[kuhm-puh s] Spell Syllables Synonyms
Examples
Word Origin
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See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com (http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/compass)
noun 1.
an instrument for determining directions, as by means of a freely rotating magnetized needle that indicates magnetic north.
2.
the enclosing line or limits of any area; perimeter: You can find anything you want downtown within the compass of ten square blocks.
3.
space within limits; area; extent; range; scope: the narrow compass of the strait; the broad compass of the novel.
4.
Also called range (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/range). the total range of tones of a voice or of a musical instrument.
5.
due or proper limits; moderate bounds: Their behavior stayed within the compass of propriety.
6.
a passing round; circuit: the compass of a year.
7.
Often, compasses. an instrument for drawing or describing circles, measuring distances, etc., consisting generally of two movable, rigid legs hinged to each other at one end (usually used with pair of): to spread the legs of a compass and draw a larger circle.
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adjective 9.
curved; forming a curve or arc: a compass timber; compass roof.
to go or move round; make the circuit of: It would take a week to compass his property on foot.
11.
to extend or stretch around; hem in; surround; encircle: An old stone wall compasses their property.
12.
to attain or achieve; accomplish; obtain.
13.
to contrive; plot; scheme: to compass a treacherous plan.
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wet compass (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/wetcompass) dry compass (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/drycompass)
verb (used with object) 10.
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compass
definitions
/)
mariner's compass (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/mariners-compass) range (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/range) compass deviation card (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/compassdeviation-card) gyrocompass (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/gyrocompass)
14.
to make curved or circular.
15.
to comprehend; to grasp, as with the mind: His mind could not compass the extent of the disaster.
Nearby words for compass compartmental (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/compartmental) compartmentalise (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/compartmentalise) compartmentalization (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/compartmentalization) compartmentalize (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/compartmentalize) compartmentation (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/compartmentation)
compass (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/compass) compass card (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/compass-card)
(http://www.dictionary.com/e/s/oldest(http://www.dictionary.com/e/s/nineties(http://www.dictionary.com/e/s/sad(http://www.dictionary.com/e/s/12compass course (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/compassenglish-words/? words/? words/? insults-we-shouldcourse) compass deviation (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/compassparam=DcomSERP- param=DcomSERP- param=DcomSERP- bring-back/? deviation) mid1) mid2) mid3) param=DcomSERPcompass deviation card mid4) (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/compass-deviation-card)
compass north (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/compass-north)
Word Value for com-pass
Origin of compass
13
Scrabble
Middle English (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/middleenglish)
Old French (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/oldfrench)
16 Words With Friends
1250-1300
1250-1300; (v.) Middle English compassen < Old French compasser to measure < Vulgar Latin *compāssāre, equivalent to compāss(us) equal step ( Latin com- com(http://www.dictionary.com/browse/com-) + pāssus pace (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/pace)1) + -āre v. suffix; (noun) Middle English compas < Old French, derivative of compasser
Related forms compassable, adjective compassless, adjective outcompass, verb (used with object) precompass, verb (used with object), noun uncompassable, adjective
Synonyms See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com (http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/compass) 3. See range (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/range).
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018. Cite This Source
Examples from the Web for com-pass Contemporary Examples Muscovites call their favorite station “Ukho Moskvy” (Ear of Moscow) and see it as an institution, a compass for society. The Kremlin Is Killing Echo of Moscow, Russia’s Last Independent Radio Station (http://www.thedailybeast.com? (http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/07/putin-is-killing-echo-of-moscow-russia-ssource=dictionary) last-independent-radio-station.html?source=dictionary) Anna Nemtsova (http://www.thedailybeast.com/contributors/anna-nemtsova.html? source=dictionary) November 7, 2014
It radiates her inner light and compass, her disregard for status quo. Why Maya Angelou Loved Sherry, The Drink of Brilliant Renegades (http://www.thedailybeast.com? (http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/06/15/why-maya-angelou-loved-sherry-the-drinksource=dictionary) of-brilliant-renegades.html?source=dictionary) Jordan Salcito (http://www.thedailybeast.com/contributors/jordan-salcito.html? source=dictionary) June 15, 2014
British Dictionary definitions for com-pass
compass /kmps / noun 1.
an instrument for finding direction, usually having a magnetized needle which points to magnetic north swinging freely on a pivot
2.
(often pl) Also called pair of compasses. an instrument used for drawing circles, measuring distances, etc, that consists of two arms, joined at one end, one arm of which serves as a pivot or stationary reference point, while the other is extended or describes a circle
3.
limits or range: within the compass of education
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Cite This Source
Word Origin and History for com-pass n. c.1300, "space, area, extent, circumference," from Old French compas "circle, radius, pair of compasses" (12c.), from compasser "to go around, measure, divide equally," from Vulgar Latin *compassare "to pace out" (source of Italian compassare, Spanish compasar), from Latin com- "together" (see com- (/browse/com-)) + passus "a step" (see pace (/browse/pace) (n.)). The mathematical instrument so called from mid-14c. The mariners' directional tool (so called since early 15c.) took the name, perhaps, because it's round and has a point like the mathematical instrument. The word is in most European languages, with a mathematical sense in Romance, a nautical sense in Germanic, and both in English. v. c.1300, "to devise, plan;" early 14c. as "to surround, contain, envelop, enclose;" from Anglo-French cumpasser, from compass (/browse/compass) (n.). Related: Compassed; compassing. Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper Cite This Source
com-pass in Science compass (kŭm'ps) (http://content.dictionary.com/help/dictionary/ahsd/pronkey.html) 1. A device used to determine geographical direction, usually consisting of a magnetic needle mounted on a pivot, aligning itself naturally with the Earth's magnetic field so that it points to the Earth's geomagnetic north or south pole. 2. A device used for drawing circles and arcs and for measuring distances on maps, consisting of two legs hinged together at one end. The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved. Cite This Source
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