Main Entry:

¹com·pass

Pronunciation:

\ˈkəm-pəs also ˈkäm-\

Function:

transitive verb

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French cumpasser to measure, from Vulgar Latin *compassare to pace off, from Latin com- + passus pace

Date:

14th century

1: to devise or contrive often with craft or skill : plot <persons…who have compassed my destruction — Charles Dickens>2: encompass3 a: bring about, achieve b: to get into one's possession or power : obtain4: comprehend

— com·pass·able \-pə-sə-bəl\ adjective