Word · Frequency #7064
compass
指南针；罗盘
An instrument with a magnetic needle that shows direction, used for finding north.
- 1.
A magnetic or electronic device used to determine the cardinal directions (usually magnetic or true north).
用于确定基本方位(通常为磁北或真北)的磁性或电子装置
- 2.
navigational instrument for finding directions
测定方向的导航仪器
- 3.
A pair of compasses (a device used to draw circular arcs and transfer length measurements).
圆规(用于画圆弧和量取长度的工具)
- 4.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control:
作用范围；势力范围
- 5.
The range of notes of a musical instrument or voice.
乐器或嗓音的音域
- 6.
the limit of capability
能力极限
- 7.
Moderate bounds, limits of truth; moderation; due limits; used with within.
(与within连用)适度界限；节制；正当范围
- 8.
A curved circular form.
弧形；弯曲的圆形
圆规；范围；界限；限度；音域；弧形；圆形；用于确定基本方位(通常为磁北或真北)的磁性或电子装置
In use
The hiker used a compass to find his way through the forest.
This topic is within the compass of our discussion.
Helping others is beyond the compass of her abilities.
within the compass of this article
within the compass of education
use a compass to do sth
指南针用于辨别方向，常与动词 use 搭配。
She used a compass to find her way back to the camp.
她用指南针找到了回营地的路。
a pair of compasses
表示圆规时常用复数形式 compasses，并以 a pair of 修饰。
He drew a circle with a pair of compasses.
Connections
Collocations
- magnetic compass
- 磁罗盘；指南针
- The pilot checked the magnetic compass before takeoff.飞行员起飞前检查了磁罗盘。
- compass bearing
- 罗盘方位
- We took a compass bearing to make sure we were heading north.我们测了一个罗盘方位以确保我们在向北走。
- compass needle
- 罗盘指针；指南针的指针
- The compass needle always points to magnetic north.罗盘指针总是指向磁北极。
- compass points
- 罗盘方位点
- She can name all thirty-two compass points on a nautical chart.她能说出海图上全部三十二个罗盘方位点。
- a pair of compasses
- 一副圆规
- He used a pair of compasses to draw a perfect circle.他用一副圆规画了一个完美的圆。
- within the compass of
Learner notes
Memory Tip
compass 拆成 com + pass，想象手握指南针，就能顺利通过(pass)每条岔路，永不迷向。
Context & Register
语域：neutral 常见场景：outdoor hiking、sailing and navigation、map-reading in class 本条目取“指南针/罗盘”这一常用义项。该用法通常为中性，日常口语和书面语都自然，多用于远足、航海、航空或课堂读图等需要辨别方向的场景。
Grammar Note
指南针为可数名词；表示“范围”时常用单数形式。
Pronunciation & Spelling
No common words rhyme exactly with /ˈkʌmpəs/. Company shares the initial stressed syllable /kʌm/ but the ending differs. Campus, pass, and bypass look similar but use /æ/ instead of /ʌ/ (and pass/bypass have /pæs/, not the reduced /pəs/ in compass). Compare has stress on the second syllable and a different vowel; compost shares the spelling 'comp' but has /ɒ/.
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 1，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY, WORDNET.