from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Compass \Com"pass\ (k[u^]m"pas), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Compassed}
(k[u^]m"past); p. pr. & vb. n. {Compassing}.] [F. compasser,
LL. compassare.]
1. To go about or entirely round; to make the circuit of.
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Ye shall compass the city seven times. --Josh. vi.
4.
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We the globe can compass soon. --Shak.
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2. To inclose on all sides; to surround; to encircle; to
environ; to invest; to besiege; -- used with about, round,
around, and round about.
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With terrors and with clamors compassed round.
--Milton.
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Now all the blessings
Of a glad father compass thee about. --Shak.
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Thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and
compass thee round. --Luke xix.
43.
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3. To reach round; to circumvent; to get within one's power;
to obtain; to accomplish.
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If I can check my erring love, I will:
If not, to compass her I'll use my skill. --Shak.
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How can you hope to compass your designs? --Denham.
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4. To curve; to bend into a circular form. [Obs. except in
carpentry and shipbuilding.] --Shak.
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5. (Law) To purpose; to intend; to imagine; to plot.
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Compassing and imagining the death of the king are
synonymous terms; compassing signifying the purpose
or design of the mind or will, and not, as in common
speech, the carrying such design to effect.
--Blackstone.
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