compass
compass — noun
1. a small navigational tool with a magnetised needle that turns freely and lines u
a small navigational tool with a magnetised needle that turns freely and lines up with the Earth's magnetic field, showing the direction of north so that you can find your way.
The hiker checked her compass before stepping off the marked trail into the woods.
collocation: check a compass
Before GPS, sailors used a compass and stars to guide ships across oceans.
used in historical contexts
A compass is still an essential tool for hikers exploring remote areas.
The scout instructor showed the children how the compass needle always settles toward the north.
When fog hid the trail, Tomás was glad he had packed a compass.
常見錯誤
2. a drawing instrument made of two hinged legs — one with a sharp point and the ot
a drawing instrument made of two hinged legs — one with a sharp point and the other holding a pencil — used to create circles or arcs and to compare lengths on a chart.
The geometry teacher asked the class to use a compass to draw a circle.
use a compass + to-infinitive purpose
Priya adjusted the compass arms to match the distance between two cities on the map.
adjusted the arms of the compass
An architect uses a compass to take precise measurements from blueprints.
The children used a compass and ruler to create circles in art class.
- pair of compasses
the formal or traditional British name for the same tool
- divider
a similar tool used specifically for transferring measurements rather than drawing circles
用法筆記
This tool is often called a 'pair of compasses' in formal or traditional British usage, though 'compass' alone is common in both British and American English.
常見錯誤
3. the range of things that someone or something can affect, achieve, or be involve
the range of things that someone or something can affect, achieve, or be involved in — for example, the limit of a person's knowledge, an organisation's authority, or an idea's influence.
Understanding advanced physics is beyond the compass of most high school students without further study.
fixed phrase: beyond the compass of
The charity only works within the compass of helping homeless families.
fixed phrase: within the compass of
The investigation fell outside the compass of matters the committee had been asked to examine.
Aiko's knowledge of marine biology went far beyond the compass of the local college's course.
用法筆記
This sense almost always appears in fixed prepositional phrases such as 'beyond the compass of', 'within the compass of', or 'outside the compass of'. It is not used alone as a simple noun (e.g. ❌ 'the compass of the project').
常見錯誤
compass — verb
1. to succeed in making something happen or reaching a goal, especially after deter
to succeed in making something happen or reaching a goal, especially after determined effort.
After fifteen years of research, Dr. Okafor finally compassed what few scientists had thought possible.
formal register
The charity compassed its aim of delivering clean water to every local village.
compass + aim / goal
Through careful diplomacy, the ambassador compassed a peace agreement between the two nations.
The engineering team needed three more years to compass a working engine design.
- achieve
the normal modern word; less formal and far more common
- accomplish
similar meaning, emphasises completing a task fully
- attain
more formal; often used for reaching a high-level goal or status
文法句型
compass + noun phrase
用法筆記
This verb sense is very rare in modern English and sounds old-fashioned or literary. In everyday speech, use 'achieve', 'accomplish', or 'reach' instead.
常見錯誤
2. to grasp the full meaning or significance of something, especially an idea, argu
to grasp the full meaning or significance of something, especially an idea, argument, or situation that is hard to understand.
The student could not compass the philosopher's argument even after reading it three times.
formal; could not compass
Hana could not compass how the flood could destroy a whole village in one night.
formal; could not compass + how-clause
Nikolai tried to compass the instructions for the telescope but found them too technical.
Only a handful of experts can fully compass the implications of the new climate model.
- understand
the everyday modern word; works in all contexts
- grasp
suggests a firm or deep understanding, often used with abstract concepts
- comprehend
more formal than 'understand', but still far more common than 'compass' in this sense
- misunderstand
to fail to understand correctly
文法句型
compass + noun phrase
用法筆記
This verb sense is extremely rare in modern English and appears mainly in formal or literary writing from earlier centuries. In current English, use 'understand', 'grasp', or 'comprehend' instead.