Definition: compass

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

compass
     n 1: navigational instrument for finding directions
     2: an area in which something acts or operates or has power or
        control: "the range of a supersonic jet"; "the ambit of
        municipal legislation"; "within the compass of this
        article"; within the scope of an investigation"; "outside
        the reach of the law"; "in the political orbit of a world
        power" [syn: scope, range, reach, orbit, ambit]
     3: the limit of capability; "within the compass of education"
        [syn: range, reach, grasp]
     4: drafting instrument used for drawing circles
     v 1: bring about; accomplish; "This writer attempts more than his
          talents can compass"
     2: travel around, either by plane or ship: "We compassed the
        earth" [syn: circumnavigate]
     3: get the meaning of something; "Do you comprehend the meaning
        of this letter?" [syn: get the picture, comprehend, savvy,
         dig, grasp, apprehend]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Compass \Com"pass\, n. [F. compas, fr. LL. compassus circle,
   prop., a stepping together; com- + passus pace, step. See
   Pace, Pass.]
   1. A passing round; circuit; circuitous course.

            They fetched a compass of seven day's journey. --2
                                                  Kings iii. 9.

            This day I breathed first; time is come round, And
            where I did begin, there shall I end; My life is run
            his compass.                          --Shak.

   2. An inclosing limit; boundary; circumference; as, within
      the compass of an encircling wall.

   3. An inclosed space; an area; extent.

            Their wisdom . . . lies in a very narrow compass.
                                                  --Addison.
Compass \Com"pass\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Compassed; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Compassing.] [F. compasser, LL. compassare.]
   1. To go about or entirely round; to make the circuit of.

            Ye shall compass the city seven times. --Josh. vi.
                                                  4.

            We the globe can compass soon.        --Shak.

   2. To inclose on all sides; to surround; to encircle; to
      environ; to invest; to besiege; -- used with about, round,
      around, and round about.

            With terrors and with clamors compassed round.
                                                  --Milton.

            Now all the blessings Of a glad father compass thee
            about.                                --Shak.

            Thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and
            compass thee round.                   --Luke xix.
                                                  43.

   3. To reach round; to circumvent; to get within one's power;
      to obtain; to accomplish.

            If I can check my erring love, I will: If not, to
            compass her I'll use my skill.        --Shak.

            How can you hope to compass your designs? --Denham.

   4. To curve; to bend into a circular form. [Obs. except in
      carpentry and shipbuilding.] --Shak.

   5. (Law) To purpose; to intend; to imagine; to plot.

            Compassing and imagining the death of the king are
            synonymous terms; compassing signifying the purpose
            or design of the mind or will, and not, as in common
            speech, the carrying such design to effect.
                                                  --Blackstone.

Source: The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (2003-OCT-10) 

COMPASS

   COMPrehensive ASSembler.

   The assembly language on CDC computers.

   (1995-01-19)