compass (n.)

  1. navigational instrument for finding directions

  2. an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: the range of a supersonic jet; a piano has a greater range than the human voice; the ambit of municipal legislation; within the compass of this article; within the scope of an investigation; outside the reach of the law; in the political orbit of a world power

    [ Syn: scope , range , reach , orbit , ambit ]

  3. the limit of capability; within the compass of education

    [ Syn: range , reach , grasp ]

  4. drafting instrument used for drawing circles

    compass (v.)

  1. bring about; accomplish; This writer attempts more than his talents can compass'

  2. travel around, either by plane or ship; We compassed the earth

    [ Syn: circumnavigate ]

  3. get the meaning of something; Do you comprehend the meaning of this letter?

    [ Syn: grok , get the picture , comprehend , savvy , dig , grasp , apprehend ]

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.