COMPASS


Meaning of COMPASS in English

com ‧ pass /ˈkʌmpəs/ BrE AmE noun

[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: compas 'measure, circle, compass' , from compasser 'to measure' , from Vulgar Latin compassare 'to measure by walking' , from Latin com- ( ⇨ COM- ) + passus ( , ↑ pace 1 ) ]

1 . [countable] an instrument that shows directions and has a needle that always points north:

a map and compass

compass points/points of the compass (=the marks on a compass that show you north, south, east, west etc)

2 .

[countable] ( also compasses ) a V-shaped instrument with one sharp point and a pen or pencil at the other end, used for drawing circles or measuring distances on maps

3 . [uncountable] formal the area or range of subjects that someone is responsible for or that is discussed in a book

compass of

Within the brief compass of a single page, the author covers most of the major points.

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COLLOCATIONS

■ phrases

▪ the points of the compass/compass points (=the marks that show you north, south, east etc)

She was teaching the children the points of the compass.

▪ a map and compass

Always take a map and compass with you in the mountains.

■ compass + NOUN

▪ the compass needle (=the long piece of metal that moves to show north)

▪ a compass bearing/reading (=a direction shown by a compass)

We took a compass bearing to ensure we were walking in the right direction.

▪ compass error

Their ship had sailed off course due to compass errors.

■ verbs

▪ use a compass

Some of the kids were learning how to use a map and compass.

▪ set a compass (=adjust it so that the needle and the north mark are in line with each other)

Wait until the needle settles, then set the compass.

▪ a compass shows something

Our compass showed that we should bear right.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.