compass
Word family adjectivecompassablecompastnouncompassingcompass rosecompass
Outdoor, Maths, Geography
ldoce_070_acom·pass /ˈkʌmpəs/ ●○○ noun 1 
[countableC]DLO an instrument that shows directions and has a needle that always points north 指南针，罗盘
[countableC]DLO an instrument that shows directions and has a needle that always points north 指南针，罗盘 a map and compass
地图和指南针
compass points/points of the compass (=the marks on a compass that show you north, south, east, west etc) 罗经方位点
2. 
[countableC] (also compasses)HMSG 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 圆规，两脚规
[countableC] (also compasses)HMSG 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 圆规，两脚规3 [uncountableU] formalVARIOUS/OF DIFFERENT KINDS the area or range of subjects that someone is responsible for or that is discussed in a book 〔某人负责或书中论述的〕范围
compass of
Within the brief compass of a single page, the author covers most of the major points.
在短短一页的篇幅中，作者涵盖了大部分要点。
n 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
compass + NOUNAlways take a map and compass with you in the mountains.
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
verbsTheir ship had sailed off course due to compass errors.
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.
Examples from the Corpus
compass• Some scientists think that they use the sun as a compass.• To cut a board around a curved or irregular object such as a stone or pipe, use a compass.• Our compass showed that the body pointed straight towards Skeleton Island, and in a line East-South-East and by East.• The very last thing I note is which direction a swim faces and for this I carry a small compass.• The exponent is guided by the directions of the compass and defends each area with a block and counter-attack.• This inner focus is truly the compass of our lives, directing us in the ways we live and behave.• The compass card will swing back when attitude is stabilised after the turn - Overshoot your heading.
(1300-1400) Old French compas “measure, circle, compass”, from compasser “to measure”, from Vulgar Latin compassare “to measure by walking”, from Latin com- ( → COM-) + passus ( → PACE1)