2. A small pair of compasses, one leg of which carries a
pencil, or a pen, for drawing circles. Its legs are often
connected by a bow-shaped spring, instead of by a joint.
[1913 Webster]
3. A pair of compasses, with a bow or arched plate riveted to one of the legs, and passing through the other. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
Bow compasses — Compasses Com pass*es, n., pl. An instrument for describing circles, measuring figures, etc., consisting of two, or (rarely) more, pointed branches, or legs, usually joined at the top by a rivet on which they move. [1913 Webster] Note: The… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
bow-compasses — bowˈ compasses plural noun A small pair of compasses, often with a bow shaped spring instead of a hinge • • • Main Entry: ↑bow … Useful english dictionary
Bow-compass — Bow com pass, n.; pl. {Bow compasses}. 1. An arcograph. [1913 Webster] 2. A small pair of compasses, one leg of which carries a pencil, or a pen, for drawing circles. Its legs are often connected by a bow shaped spring, instead of by a joint.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Compasses — Com pass*es, n., pl. An instrument for describing circles, measuring figures, etc., consisting of two, or (rarely) more, pointed branches, or legs, usually joined at the top by a rivet on which they move. [1913 Webster] Note: The compasses for… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
compasses — Com pass*es, n., pl. An instrument for describing circles, measuring figures, etc., consisting of two, or (rarely) more, pointed branches, or legs, usually joined at the top by a rivet on which they move. [1913 Webster] Note: The compasses for… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Bow-pen — n. Bow compasses carrying a drawing pen. See {Bow compass}. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Bow-pencil — Bow pen cil, n. Bow compasses, one leg of which carries a pencil. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
bow compass — [bō] n. a pair of drawing compasses with legs joined by a flexible steel band, the angle between being adjusted by a screw … English World dictionary
Caliber compasses — Compasses Com pass*es, n., pl. An instrument for describing circles, measuring figures, etc., consisting of two, or (rarely) more, pointed branches, or legs, usually joined at the top by a rivet on which they move. [1913 Webster] Note: The… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Caliper compasses — Compasses Com pass*es, n., pl. An instrument for describing circles, measuring figures, etc., consisting of two, or (rarely) more, pointed branches, or legs, usually joined at the top by a rivet on which they move. [1913 Webster] Note: The… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
