- Compass
- Compass Com"pass (k[u^]m"pas), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Compassed}
(k[u^]m"past); p. pr. & vb. n. {Compassing}.] [F. compasser,
LL. compassare.]
1. To go about or entirely round; to make the circuit of.
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Ye shall compass the city seven times. --Josh. vi. 4. [1913 Webster]
We the globe can compass soon. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. To inclose on all sides; to surround; to encircle; to environ; to invest; to besiege; -- used with about, round, around, and round about. [1913 Webster]
With terrors and with clamors compassed round. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
Now all the blessings Of a glad father compass thee about. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round. --Luke xix. 43. [1913 Webster]
3. To reach round; to circumvent; to get within one's power; to obtain; to accomplish. [1913 Webster]
If I can check my erring love, I will: If not, to compass her I'll use my skill. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
How can you hope to compass your designs? --Denham. [1913 Webster]
4. To curve; to bend into a circular form. [Obs. except in carpentry and shipbuilding.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]
5. (Law) To purpose; to intend; to imagine; to plot. [1913 Webster]
Compassing and imagining the death of the king are synonymous terms; compassing signifying the purpose or design of the mind or will, and not, as in common speech, the carrying such design to effect. --Blackstone. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
