1
- an instrument containing a magnetized pointer which shows the direction of magnetic north and bearings from it罗盘, 罗经, 指南针。
2
- （亦作compasses或a pair of compasses）an instrument for drawing circles and arcs and measuring distances between points, consisting of two arms linked by a movable joint, one arm ending in a point and the other usually carrying a pencil or pen圆规。
3
- in sing. the range or scope of something范围：
the event had political repercussions which are beyond the compass of this book
那次事件有着本书所没有涉及的政治影响
goods and services which fall within the compass of the free market.
归入自由市场范围内的商品和服务。
3.1
- the enclosing limits of an area界限, 地界, 边界：
this region had within its compass many types of agriculture.
这片区域内有多种形式的农业。
3.2
- the range of notes that can be produced by a voice or a musical instrument音域：
the cellos were playing in a rather sombre part of their compass.
大提琴在相当低沉的音域中演奏。
with obj. archaic <古>
1
- go round (something) in a circular course绕（某物）而行; 围绕：
the ship wherein Magellan compassed the world.
麦哲伦环游世界所乘坐的船。
1.1
- surround or hem in on all sides包围：
we were compassed round by a thick fog.
我们被笼罩在浓雾之中。
2
- contrive to accomplish (something)图谋完成; 筹划以达到：
he compassed his end only by the exercise of gentle violence
他只稍施暴力就达到了目的。
词源
Middle English: from Old French compas (noun), compasser (verb), based on Latin com- 'together' + passus 'a step or pace'. Several senses （'measure', 'artifice', 'circumscribed area', and 'pair of compasses'） which appeared in Middle English are also found in Old French, but their development and origin are uncertain. The transference of sense to the magnetic compass is held to have occurred in the related Italian word compasso, from the circular shape of the compass box.