compass
Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
compass/ˈkʌmpəs/
▶noun
- 1 an instrument containing a magnetized pointer which shows the direction of magnetic north and bearings from it.
- 2 (also compasses) an instrument for drawing circles and arcs and measuring distances between points, consisting of two arms linked by a movable joint.
- 3 range or scope: the event had repercussions which are beyond the compass of this book.
- 1 encircle or surround.
- 2 manage to accomplish.
– origin ME: from OFr. compas (n.), compasser (v.), based on L. com- ‘together’ + passus ‘a step or pace’.
'compass' also found in these Oxford entries:
agonic line
- azimuth
- back
- beam compass
- binnacle
- bow compass
- box
- cardinal point
- compass card
- compass rose
- compass saw
- compass window
- declination
- deviation
- divider
- due
- east-north-east
- east-south-east
- gimbal
- gyrocompass
- gyromagnetic
- jewel
- lubber line
- magnetic needle
- magnetic north
- needle
- north
- north-north-east
- north-north-west
- orient
- orienteering
- point
- quarter
- rhumb
- south-south-east
- south-south-west
- strike
- trammel
- traverse
- true
- universal compass
- veer
- west-north-west
- west-south-west
