compass

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++

Related topics: Outdoor, Maths, Geography

ldoce_070_acom·pass /ˈkʌmpəs/ ●○○ noun  1  [countable]DLO an instrument that shows directions and has a needle that always points north 指南针，罗盘 a map and compass 地图和指南针compass points/points of the compass (=the marks on a compass that show you north, south, east, west etc) 罗经方位点 →5  See picture of compass 指南针, pair of compasses 圆规 →4  See picture of 见图 MEASUREMENT2. [countable] (also compasses)HMSG a V-shaped instrument with one sharp point and a pen or pencil at the other end, used for drawing circles or measuring distances on maps 圆规，两脚规 →4  See picture of 见图 MATHEMATICS3  [uncountable] formalVARIOUS/OF DIFFERENT KINDS the area or range of subjects that someone is responsible for or that is discussed in a book 〔某人负责或书中论述的〕范围compass of Within the brief compass of a single page, the author covers most of the major points. 在短短一页的篇幅中，作者涵盖了大部分要点。n COLLOCATIONSphrasesthe points of the compass/compass points (=the marks that show you north, south, east etc)She was teaching the children the points of the compass.a map and compassAlways take a map and compass with you in the mountains.compass + NOUNthe compass needle (=the long piece of metal that moves to show north)a compass bearing/reading (=a direction shown by a compass)We took a compass bearing to ensure we were walking in the right direction.compass errorTheir ship had sailed off course due to compass errors.verbsuse a compassSome of the kids were learning how to use a map and compass.set a compass (=adjust it so that the needle and the north mark are in line with each other)Wait until the needle settles, then set the compass.a compass shows somethingOur compass showed that we should bear right.

Examples from the Corpus

compass• Some scientists think that they use the sun as a compass.• To cut a board around a curved or irregular object such as a stone or pipe, use a compass.• Our compass showed that the body pointed straight towards Skeleton Island, and in a line East-South-East and by East.• The very last thing I note is which direction a swim faces and for this I carry a small compass.• The exponent is guided by the directions of the compass and defends each area with a block and counter-attack.• This inner focus is truly the compass of our lives, directing us in the ways we live and behave.• The compass card will swing back when attitude is stabilised after the turn - Overshoot your heading.Origin compass (1300-1400) Old French compas “measure, circle, compass”, from compasser “to measure”, from Vulgar Latin compassare “to measure by walking”, from Latin com- ( → COM-) + passus ( → PACE1)

com·pass noun →n COLLOCATIONS1LDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable  

directions that has Corpus an and instrument shows

compass
com‧pass /ˈkʌmpəs/ noun
1. [countable] an instrument that shows directions and has a needle that always points north:
    a map and compass
    compass points/points of the compass (=the marks on a compass that show you north, south, east, west etc)
2.
   [countable] (also compasses) a V-shaped instrument with one sharp point and a pen or pencil at the other end, used for drawing circles or measuring distances on maps
3. [uncountable] formal the area or range of subjects that someone is responsible for or that is discussed in a book
    compass of
    Within the brief compass of a single page, the author covers most of the major points.
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ phrases
   ▪ the points of the compass/compass points (=the marks that show you north, south, east etc) She was teaching the children the points of the compass.
   ▪ a map and compass Always take a map and compass with you in the mountains.
■ compass + NOUN
   ▪ the compass needle (=the long piece of metal that moves to show north)
   ▪ a compass bearing/reading (=a direction shown by a compass) We took a compass bearing to ensure we were walking in the right direction.
   ▪ compass error Their ship had sailed off course due to compass errors.
■ verbs
   ▪ use a compass Some of the kids were learning how to use a map and compass.
   ▪ set a compass (=adjust it so that the needle and the north mark are in line with each other) Wait until the needle settles, then set the compass.
   ▪ a compass shows something Our compass showed that we should bear right.

com·passBrE /ˈkʌmpəs/ 🔊NAmE /ˈkʌmpəs/ 🔊 noun

(also magˌnetic ˈcompass) [countable] an instrument for finding direction, with a needle that always points to the north 罗盘；罗经；指南针；罗盘仪◆a map and compass地图和指南针◆the points of the compass (= N, S, E, W, etc.) 罗经方位点（东、南、西、北等）

compass, globe, GPS, grid, key, latitude, map, navigate, reference, scale

[countable] (also compasses [plural] ) an instrument with two long thin parts joined together at the top, used for drawing circles and measuring distances on a map 圆规；两脚规◆a pair of compasses一副圆规 [singular] (formal) a range or an extent, especially of what can be achieved in a particular situation 范围；范畴；界限◆the compass of a singer's voice (= the range from the lowest to the highest note that he or she can sing) 歌手的音域