Compass

kum′pas, n. a circuit or circle: space: limit: range, a limit of tones of a voice or instrument: the circumference: girth: an instrument consisting of a magnetised needle, used to steer ships by, ., the needle indicating on a card the absolute directions at any given time: ( pl. ) an instrument consisting of two movable legs, for describing circles, .— v.t. to pa or go round: to surround or enclose: to besiege: to bring about or obtain: to contrive or plot: to accomplish.— adj. Com′pa able , capable of being compa ed.— ns. Com′pa -card , the circular card of a compa ; Com′pa ing , contrivance: design; Com′pa -plane , a plane, convex on the under side, for smoothing curved timber; Com′pa -saw , a saw that cuts in a circular manner; Com′pa -sig′nal , a signal denoting a point in the compa ; Com′pa -tim′ber , curved timber, used for shipbuilding, .; Com′pa -win′dow , a semicircular bay-window.— Box the compa (see Box ); Fetch a compa , to go round in a circuit. [Fr. compas , a circle, prob. from Low L. compa us —L. com , together, pa us , a step.]