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pair of compasses

noun 

See compass
com·pass (kŭḿpəs, kŏḿ-)

[Middle English compas, circle, compass, from Old French, from compasser, to measure, from Vulgar Latin* compassāre, to pace off, Latin com-, com-, + Latin passus, step; see pace1.]

noun 

    1. A device used to determine geographic direction, usually consisting of a magnetic needle or needles horizontally mounted or suspended and free to pivot until aligned with the earth's magnetic field.
    2. Another device, such as a radio compass or a gyrocompass, used for determining geographic direction.
  2. A V-shaped device for describing circles or circular arcs and for taking measurements, consisting of a pair of rigid, end-hinged legs, one of which is equipped with a pen, pencil, or other marker and the other with a sharp point providing a pivot about which the drawing leg is turned. Also called pair of compasses
    1. An enclosing line or boundary; a circumference: outside the compass of the fence. See synonyms at circumference
    2. A restricted space or area: four huge crates within the compass of the elevator.
    3. Range or scope, as of understanding, perception, or authority: “Lacking a coherent intellectual and moral commitment, was forced to find his compass in personal experience” (Doris Kearns Goodwin) See synonyms at range
  4. Music See range

transitive verb: -passed, -pass·ing, -pass·es. 

  1. To make a circuit of; circle: The sailboat compassed the island.
  2. To surround; encircle. See synonyms at surround
  3. To understand; comprehend.
  4. To succeed in carrying out; accomplish. See synonyms at reach
  5. To scheme; plot.

adjective 

  1. Forming a curved configuration.
  2. Semicircular. Used of bow windows.

derivatives

coḿpass·a·ble
adjective