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We are asleep with compasses in our hands.
W. S. Merwin

Meaning of "compasses" in the English dictionary

Dictionary
DICTIONARY
section

PRONUNCIATION OF COMPASSES

compasses  [ˈkʌmpəsɪz] play
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GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY OF COMPASSES

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Compasses is a noun.
A noun is a type of word the meaning of which determines reality. Nouns provide the names for all things: people, objects, sensations, feelings, etc.

WHAT DOES COMPASSES MEAN IN ENGLISH?

compasses

Compass

A compass is a navigational instrument that shows directions in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the Earth. The frame of reference defines the four cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west. Intermediate directions are also defined. Usually, a diagram called a compass rose, which shows the directions, is marked on the compass. When the compass is in use, the rose is aligned with the real directions in the frame of reference, so, for example, the "N" mark on the rose really points to the north. Frequently, in addition to the rose or sometimes instead of it, angle markings in degrees are shown on the compass. North corresponds to zero degrees, and the angles increase clockwise, so east is 90 degrees, south is 180, and west is 270. These numbers allow the compass to show azimuths or bearings, which are commonly stated in this notation. The magnetic compass was first invented as a device for divination as early as the Chinese Han Dynasty. The compass was used in Song Dynasty China by the military for navigational orienteering by 1040-1044, and was used for maritime navigation by 1111 to 1117.

WORDS THAT RHYME WITH COMPASSES


apostasies
əˈpɒstəsɪz
argosies
ˈɑːɡəsɪz
courtesies
ˈkɜːtəsɪz
cross-purposes
ˌkrɒsˈpɜːpəsɪz
degeneracies
dɪˈdʒenərəsɪz
delicacies
ˈdelɪkəsɪz
ecstasies
ˈekstəsɪz
episcopacies
ɪˈpɪskəpəsɪz
fantasies
ˈfæntəsɪz
galluses
ˈɡæləsɪz
idiocies
ˈɪdɪəsɪz
idiosyncrasies
ˌɪdɪəʊˈsɪŋkrəsɪz
jealousies
ˈdʒeləsɪz
lunacies
ˈluːnəsɪz
mobocracies
mɒˈbɒkrəsɪz
ochlocracies
ɒkˈlɒkrəsɪz
papacies
ˈpeɪpəsɪz
piracies
ˈpaɪrəsɪz
plutocracies
ˌpluːˈtɒkrəsɪz
timocracies
taɪˈmɒkrəsɪz

WORDS THAT BEGIN LIKE COMPASSES

compas
compass
compass card
compass course
compass plant
compass point
compass rose
compass saw
compass window
compassable
compassings
compassion
Compassion Club
compassion fatigue
compassionable
compassionate
compassionate leave
compassionately
compassionateness
compassionless

WORDS THAT END LIKE COMPASSES

aviator glasses
blackstrap molasses
classes
dark glasses
eyeglasses
field glasses
first-aid classes
gasses
glasses
gold-rimmed glasses
losses
lower classes
masses
molasses
opera glasses
pair of compasses
prescription glasses
reading glasses
sunglasses
the masses
upper classes

Synonyms and antonyms of compasses in the English dictionary of synonyms

SYNONYMS

SYNONYMS OF «COMPASSES»

The following words have a similar or identical meaning as «compasses» and belong to the same grammatical category.
synonyms of compasses

Translation of «compasses» into 25 languages

TRANSLATOR
online translator

TRANSLATION OF COMPASSES

Find out the translation of compasses to 25 languages with our English multilingual translator.
The translations of compasses from English to other languages presented in this section have been obtained through automatic statistical translation; where the essential translation unit is the word «compasses» in English.

Translator English - Chinese

指南针
1,325 millions of speakers

Translator English - Spanish

brújulas
570 millions of speakers

English

compasses
510 millions of speakers

Translator English - Hindi

परकार
380 millions of speakers
ar

Translator English - Arabic

البوصلات
280 millions of speakers

Translator English - Russian

компасы
278 millions of speakers

Translator English - Portuguese

compassos
270 millions of speakers

Translator English - Bengali

কম্পাস
260 millions of speakers

Translator English - French

boussoles
220 millions of speakers

Translator English - Malay

Kompas
190 millions of speakers

Translator English - German

Zirkel
180 millions of speakers

Translator English - Japanese

コンパス
130 millions of speakers

Translator English - Korean

나침반
85 millions of speakers

Translator English - Javanese

Kompas
85 millions of speakers
vi

Translator English - Vietnamese

la bàn
80 millions of speakers

Translator English - Tamil

கவராயம்
75 millions of speakers

Translator English - Marathi

होकायंत्र
75 millions of speakers

Translator English - Turkish

pergel
70 millions of speakers

Translator English - Italian

compasso
65 millions of speakers

Translator English - Polish

kompasy
50 millions of speakers

Translator English - Ukrainian

компаси
40 millions of speakers

Translator English - Romanian

busole
30 millions of speakers
el

Translator English - Greek

πυξίδες
15 millions of speakers
af

Translator English - Afrikaans

passers
14 millions of speakers
sv

Translator English - Swedish

kompasser
10 millions of speakers
no

Translator English - Norwegian

kompasser
5 millions of speakers

Trends of use of compasses

TRENDS

TENDENCIES OF USE OF THE TERM «COMPASSES»

The term «compasses» is quite widely used and occupies the 35.604 position in our list of most widely used terms in the English dictionary.
0
100%
FREQUENCY
Quite widely used
84
/100
The map shown above gives the frequency of use of the term «compasses» in the different countries.
Principal search tendencies and common uses of compasses
List of principal searches undertaken by users to access our English online dictionary and most widely used expressions with the word «compasses».

FREQUENCY OF USE OF THE TERM «COMPASSES» OVER TIME

The graph expresses the annual evolution of the frequency of use of the word «compasses» during the past 500 years. Its implementation is based on analysing how often the term «compasses» appears in digitalised printed sources in English between the year 1500 and the present day.

Examples of use in the English literature, quotes and news about compasses

EXAMPLES

QUOTES WITH «COMPASSES»

Famous quotes and sentences with the word compasses.
1
W. S. Merwin
We are asleep with compasses in our hands.

10 ENGLISH BOOKS RELATING TO «COMPASSES»

Discover the use of compasses in the following bibliographical selection. Books relating to compasses and brief extracts from same to provide context of its use in English literature.
1
Compasses
Introduces the function, parts, and uses of compasses, and provides instructions for two activities that demonstrate how a compass works.
Adele Richardson, 2003
2
Compasses: Webster's Quotations, Facts and Phrases
Proceeds from this book are used to expand the content and coverage of Websters Online Dictionary (www.websters-online-dictionary.org).
‎2008
3
At the sign of the square and compasses
On Freemasonry symbolism; writings by a theosophist.
Geoffrey Hodson, 1976
4
A Destroyer of Compasses
Sometimes lyrical, sometimes tough, these stories deal with the foibles and frailties of acutely drawn characters pursuing freedom, love, beauty and adventure amidst the stark realities of life, whether at the end of a dictatorship in Spain ...
Wade Bell, 2003
5
Marine gyro compasses for ships' officers
The ideal reference for this subject. Discusses how & why gyros work, control & damping gyro compass errors & correction, & more.
A. Frost, 1982
6
The Compasses and the Cross: A History of the Masonic ...
Through the course of the book, Dafoe draws on his knowledge of the history of the original Order as well as that of the modern Masonic variant.
Stephen Dafoe, 2008
7
A payre of compasses for chvrch and state: Delivered in a ...
Delivered in a sermon preached at St. Margarets in Westminster ... November the last, 1642 Charles Herle. while they juftle not may keepe their phee, face would be thought on, and ir were but for truths lake, tho' tn rebus human U ratio est ...
Charles Herle, 1642
8
Ships Compasses
Thomas Allan. various causes, render the whole question of the compass-needle one of paramount importance to a commercial nation. The national appeal, expressed in the following quotation, is enough for any good citizen, in a question so ...
Thomas Allan, 1855
9
Elementary Magnetism, and the local attraction of ships' ...
Perturbation by electric currents traversing conductors near the compasses. There are instances on record where compasses have been deranged by lightning striking a ship. This may be caused either by the magnetism of the needle being ...
George PARSON, 1864
10
A Philosophical and Mathematical Dictionary: Containing an ...
compasses art also exhibited. See also a new one in the Supplement to Cavallo's Treatise on Magnetism. As there are 32 whole points quite around the circle, which contains 36"0 degrees, therefore each point of the compass contains the 32d ...
Charles Hutton, 1815

10 NEWS ITEMS WHICH INCLUDE THE TERM «COMPASSES»

Find out what the national and international press are talking about and how the term compasses is used in the context of the following news items.
1
Why Are We Still So Obsessed with 'Clueless'?
... and often the directors too, were able to create this thing according to their own compasses, and I think that's why people really relate to them. «HarpersBAZAAR.com, Jul 15»
2
Bold steps needed but the crisis with Greece can be resolved
Politicians, too, tend to have their moral compasses calibrated to the relentless hunt for votes. Finding effective and moral solutions requires ... «Irish Examiner, Jul 15»
3
Sunday farmer's market returns in Snowmass
An art school grad, Popejoy's designs are largely inspired by her love of antiques, incorporating items such as compasses, pocket watches and ... «Aspen Times, Jul 15»
4
InvenSense Upgraded by Zacks to "Hold" (INVN)
... detects and tracks an object's motion in three-dimensional space, including gyroscopes, accelerometers, compasses and pressure sensors. «Dakota Financial News, Jul 15»
5
Beauty Should Be Used for Positive Development - Miss Tourism
The modeling industry compasses a lot of creative young people such as photographers, make- up artists, fashion designers, stylists etc. «AllAfrica.com, Jul 15»
6
What two lost college students and an LDS ward council have in …
When they were finally found in the early morning, rescuers had to stop every 10 to 15 feet to recalibrate their compasses to get them all back to ... «Deseret News, Jul 15»
7
Statemanship and the Greek crisis
Politicians, too, tend to have their moral compasses calibrated to the relentless hunt for votes. Finding effective and moral solutions requires ... «EJ Insight, Jul 15»
8
Finding the Way Back
(Spiny lobsters, monarch butterflies, and termites have similar compasses.) Honeybees get from nectar to hive and back in part by judging the ... «The New Yorker, Jul 15»
9
Joseph Cornell, Wanderlust, Royal Academy of Arts, review …
... stamps, seashells, clay pipes, compasses, balls of twine, antique celestial charts: things, in other words, which many people might overlook, ... «Telegraph.co.uk, Jul 15»
10
President Reuven Rivlin's Message to the Arab Media
... voice, and are capable of standing before their own communities without losing their inner compasses, especially in the depth of the storm. «Yeshiva World News, Jul 15»

REFERENCE
« EDUCALINGO. Compasses [online]. Available <https://educalingo.com/en/dic-en/compasses>. Apr 2024 ».
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