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.
• • •
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.