/'kʌmpəs; `kʌmpəs/
n
1 [C]
(a) (also magnetic compass) device for finding direction, with a needle that points to magnetic north 指南针; 罗盘; 罗经
*the points of the compass, ie N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW, etc 罗经上的方位（北、东北、东、东南、南、西南、西、西北等）.
(b) similar device for determining direction （指示方向的）类似装置
*a radio compass 无线电罗经.
2 [C] (also compasses [pl]) V-shaped instrument with two legs joined by a hinge, used for drawing circles, measuring distances on a map or chart, etc 圆规; 两脚规
*a pair of compasses 一只圆规. =>illus 见插图.
3 [U] scope; range 界线; 范围
*beyond the compass of the human mind 超出人类智力范围
* the compass of a singer's voice, ie the range from the lowest to the highest note that he or she can reach 歌手的音域.

/'kʌmpəs; `kʌmpəs/
v [Tn] (arch 古) = encompass 2.

n

[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French;Origin: compas 'measure, circle, compass', from compasser 'to measure', from Vulgar Latin compassare 'to measure by walking', from Latin com- ( COM-) + passus ( PACE¹)]
[C]
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)
point, compass
[C]alsocompasses
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
[U]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.