compass /kumˈpəs/

1. An instrument consisting of a magnetized needle, used to find directions
2. (in pl) a pair of jointed legs, for drawing circles, etc (also pair of compasses)
3. A circuit or circle
4. Limit
5. Range of pitch of a voice or instrument
6. Circumference
7. Girth

1. To pass or go round
2. To surround or enclose
3. To grasp, comprehend
4. To bring about, accomplish, achieve or obtain
5. To contrive or plot (obsolete)
6. To curve, bend (Shakespeare)

comˈpassable adjective

Capable of being compassed

comˈpassing noun (obsolete)

Contrivance, design

comˈpast adjective (archaic)

Rounded

compass card noun

The circular card of a compass marked with directional points and degrees

compass plane noun

A plane, convex on the underside, for smoothing curved timber

compass plant noun

Any plant (such as Silphium laciniatum and certain species of lettuce) that aligns its leaves north and south to avoid the midday sun

compass rose noun

The circular device showing the principal directions on a map or chart

compass saw noun

A narrow-bladed saw for cutting in curves

compass signal noun

A signal denoting a point in the compass

compass timber noun

Curved timber, used for shipbuilding, etc

compass window noun

A semicircular bay window

box the compass see under box¹

• mountains-high
• mountain sickness
• mountainside
• mountainsides
• mountain soap
• mountain sorrel
• Mountain Standard Time
• mountain tallow
• mountain tea
• mountain teas
• Mountain Time
• mountain-top
• mountain-tops
• mountain wood
• mountant
• mountants
• mountebank
• mountebanked
• mountebankeries
• mountebankery
• parasitologies
• portrait-bust
• portrait-busts
• portraited
• portrait-galleries