资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Compass \Com"pass\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Compassed}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Compassing}.] [F. compasser, LL. compassare.]
   1. To go about or entirely round; to make the circuit of.

            Ye shall compass the city seven times. --Josh. vi.
                                                  4.

            We the globe can compass soon.        --Shak.

   2. To inclose on all sides; to surround; to encircle; to
      environ; to invest; to besiege; -- used with about, round,
      around, and round about.

            With terrors and with clamors compassed round.
                                                  --Milton.

            Now all the blessings Of a glad father compass thee
            about.                                --Shak.

            Thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and
            compass thee round.                   --Luke xix.
                                                  43.

   3. To reach round; to circumvent; to get within one's power;
      to obtain; to accomplish.

            If I can check my erring love, I will: If not, to
            compass her I'll use my skill.        --Shak.

            How can you hope to compass your designs? --Denham.

   4. To curve; to bend into a circular form. [Obs. except in
      carpentry and shipbuilding.] --Shak.

   5. (Law) To purpose; to intend; to imagine; to plot.

            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.

Compassing \Com"pass*ing\, a. (Shipbuilding)
   Curved; bent; as, compassing timbers.