compass

/ˈkʌmpəs/
verb
  1. To surround or encircle something.
    • High walls compass the ancient castle.
    • Dark forests compass the small village on all sides.
    • The garden is compassed by a hedge of roses.
  2. To achieve or accomplish something, often with effort.
    • She compassed her goal of becoming a doctor after years of study.
    • They compassed a peace agreement after long negotiations.
    • He compassed the difficult task through sheer determination.
  3. To understand or grasp something fully.
    • It took me a while to compass the complexity of the theory.
    • The student could not compass the meaning of the poem.
    • We need to compass the full implications of this decision.
noun
  1. An instrument with a magnetic needle that points to the north, used for finding direction.
    • He always carries a small compass in his backpack when camping.
    • The hiker used a compass to find her way through the forest.
    • Before GPS, sailors relied on a compass to navigate the open ocean.
  2. A tool used for drawing circles and arcs, consisting of two legs joined at one end.
    • The architect's compass was essential for creating the blueprint.
    • The student used a compass to draw a perfect circle in math class.
    • She adjusted the compass to a radius of three inches.
  3. The range or scope of something, such as knowledge, ability, or influence.
    • The book covers the entire compass of human history.
    • The problem is beyond the compass of this committee's authority.
    • Her musical compass extends from classical to jazz.
Synonyms
What does "compass" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean