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compass

Pronunciation: /ˈkʌm.pəs/

The English word “compass” has 15 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. A magnetic or electronic device used to determine the cardinal directions (usually magnetic or true north).
  2. A pair of compasses (a device used to draw circular arcs and transfer length measurements).
  3. The range of notes of a musical instrument or voice.
  4. A space within limits; an area.
  5. An enclosing limit; a boundary, a circumference.
  6. Moderate bounds, limits of truth; moderation; due limits; used with within.
  7. Synonym of scope.
  8. Range, reach.
  9. A passing round; circuit; circuitous course.
  10. A curved circular form.

verb

  1. To surround; to encircle; to environ; to stretch round.
  2. To go about or round entirely; to traverse.
  3. To accomplish; to reach; to achieve; to obtain.
  4. To plot; to scheme (against someone).

adverb

  1. In a circuit; round about.

Etymology

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.

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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.