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 : encompass
3 a : bring about, achieve b : to get into one's possession or power : obtain
4 : comprehend

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