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1. (also magnetic compass) an instrument containing a magnetized pointer which shows the direction of magnetic north and bearings from it.

羅針盤, 儀; (ハイキングなどに使う)(方位)磁石, コンパス; ｟比喩的に｠ 指針

2. (also 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.

(製図用)コンパス (!｟英｠ では時に～esで) ; 〖しばしば～es〗 ディバイダー(divider)

3. in singular the range or scope of something:

｟かたく｠ 〖通例単数形で〗(地域の)境界, (境界内の)地域

e.g. the event had political repercussions that are beyond the compass of this book.

the enclosing limits of an area:

(活動などの)範囲, 領域

e.g. this region had within its compass many types of agriculture.

the range of notes that can be produced by a voice or a musical instrument:

〘楽〙 音域

e.g. the cellos were playing in a rather somber part of their compass.

verb with object archaic

1. go around (something) in a circular course:

…を一巡する

e.g. the ship wherein Magellan compassed the world.

surround or enclose on all sides:

…を取り囲む, 取り巻く.

e.g. they were compassed with numerous fierce and cruel tribes.

2. contrive to accomplish (something):

…を企てる; …を達成する.

e.g. he compassed his end only by the exercise of violence.

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.