Definition of "compass"
compass1
noun
plural compasses
(music) The range of notes of a musical instrument or voice.
Quotations
You would sound me from my lowest note to the top of my compass.
c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act III, scene ii]
(obsolete) A space within limits; an area.
Quotations
Among tank engines, the 0-6-2 wheel arrangement was by far the most numerous, there being nearly 450 of this arrangement, which offers the advantage of good power and adhesive weight, coupled with adequate tank and bunker capacity, within a limited compass.
1939 September, D. S. Barrie, “The Railways of South Wales”, in Railway Magazine, page 161
(obsolete) An enclosing limit; a boundary, a circumference.
Quotations
[T]he Towne is impailed about halfe a mile compaſſe.
1624, John Smith, “The Present Estate of New-Plimoth”, in John Smith, The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles: […], London: […] I[ohn] D[awson] and I[ohn] H[aviland] for Michael Sparkes, book 6; republished as The Generall Historie of Virginia, [...], London: […] I[ohn] D[awson] and I[ohn] H[aviland] for Edward Blackmore, 1632, page 247
(archaic) Scope.
Quotations
There is a truth and falsehood in all propositions on this subject, and a truth and falsehood, which lie not beyond the compass of human understanding.
1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral, Oxford University Press, published 1973, section 8
Quotations
Then when our powers in points of ſwords are ioin’dAnd cloſde in compaſſe of the killing bullet,Though ſtraite the paſſage and the port be made,That leads to Pallace of my brothers life,Proud is his fortune if we pierce it not.
c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire, London: Scolar Press, 1973, (please specify the page)
(obsolete) A passing round; circuit; circuitous course.
Quotations
This day I breathed first; time is come round, / And where I did begin, there shall I end; / My life is run his compass.
1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act V, scene iii]
compass2
verb
third-person singular simple present compasses, present participle compassing, simple past and past participle compassed
(dated) To accomplish; to reach; to achieve; to obtain.
Quotations
[…] tho' theſe ſeem'd to be very unfit Inſtruments for compaſſing of that great Deſign for which they were then employ'd, becauſe of their Inability and Uncapacity in performing the Work ſo very great and important; […]
1720, John Shaw, “Of Religion”, in The Fundamental Doctrines of the Church of England, […], volume I, London: […] George Strahan, […] William Mears, […], page 36