compass
/ˈkʌmpəs/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈʌmpəs] /ˈkʌmpəs/ (ame, ipa) · [kˈʌmpəs] /ˈkəm-pəs also ˈkäm-/ (ame, mw)
compass — 名詞
- compasssingular
- compassesplural
1. A small instrument with a magnetic needle that always swings to point north, hel
指南針
利用磁針指向北方的導航儀器
A small instrument with a magnetic needle that always swings to point north, helping you find which direction to travel.
Linh checked her compass before heading deeper into the forest.
Linh 深入森林前先查看了一下指南針。
collocation: check a compass
The hiker pulled out a compass when the trail markers disappeared.
步道標誌消失後，登山客拿出了指南針。
collocation: pull out a compass
Sailors have relied on the compass for centuries to cross open seas.
數百年來，水手一直依靠指南針橫渡開闊的海域。
Kofi's compass showed north, but the dense fog made walking difficult.
Kofi 的指南針指向北方，但濃霧讓行走變得十分困難。
Without a compass or a map, it is easy to get lost in the mountains.
沒有指南針或地圖，在山裡很容易迷路。
2. A V-shaped tool with two arms connected at a hinge, for sketching circles and ta
圓規
繪製圓形與測量距離的V形工具
A V-shaped tool with two arms connected at a hinge, for sketching circles and taking measurements from maps or blueprints.
Adina used a compass to draw a perfect circle in her geometry notebook.
Adina 用圓規在幾何筆記本上畫出一個完美的圓。
collocation: draw with a compass
The architect spread the compass arms wide to measure the map distance.
建築師將圓規的兩臂張開，測量地圖上的距離。
Yuna carefully adjusted the compass before marking the circle on the paper.
Yuna 小心調整圓規後，才在紙上標出圓圈。
Students in the drafting class learned to use a compass and a ruler.
製圖課的學生學習如何使用圓規和直尺。
- dividers
a similar tool, but used mainly for measuring rather than drawing circles
用法筆記
Also called 'a pair of compasses' in full. Not to be confused with sense 1 (the navigation device) — this is a drawing instrument.
3. The range or outer limits of what something includes, covers, or can achieve — o
範圍；界限
能力、活動或影響力所能及的限度
The range or outer limits of what something includes, covers, or can achieve — often used about ability, authority, or subject matter.
The investigation fell well outside the compass of the local police department.
這項調查完全超出了地方警察局的職權範圍。
pattern: outside the compass of [something]
Questions about personal faith lie beyond the compass of scientific research.
關於個人信仰的問題，不在科學研究的範疇之內。
The new policy widened the compass of services the clinic could offer.
新政策擴大了診所可提供服務的範圍。
Within the compass of a single paragraph, Asher captured the whole argument.
Asher 僅用一段話的篇幅就概括了整個論點。
Mauricio believed the project was within the compass of his small team.
Mauricio 相信這個專案在他那小團隊的能力範圍之內。
用法筆記
Almost always appears with a determiner in the pattern 'the compass of [something]'. Common in phrases 'within the compass of' and 'beyond the compass of'. Distinguish from sense 1 and sense 2 — this is a metaphorical extension, not a physical object.
常見錯誤
compass — 動詞
- compasspresent simple I / you / we / they
- compasses3rd person singular
- compassing-ing form
- compassedpast simple
1. To surround or include something completely within a particular space, idea, or
涵蓋；圍繞
完全包含或環繞某個空間或概念
To surround or include something completely within a particular space, idea, or system.
The old stone wall compasses the entire garden, leaving no gap unguarded.
古老的石牆圍繞著整座花園，沒有留下任何缺口。
compass + direct object (area or space)
Lauren's vision for the company compassed every detail of the customer experience.
Lauren 對公司的願景涵蓋了客戶體驗的每一個細節。
The national park compasses dense forests, clear lakes, and three mountain ranges.
這座國家公園涵蓋了茂密的森林、清澈的湖泊和三條山脈。
The treaty compassed trade rules, border controls, and environmental protection standards.
該條約涵蓋了貿易規則、邊境管制和環境保護標準。
文法句型
compass + noun phrase (area or concept)
用法筆記
Rare in modern English; 'encompass' is the everyday alternative. Found mainly in formal or literary writing.
常見錯誤
2. To succeed in bringing about or obtaining something, usually after sustained eff
達成；實現
經過努力而成功獲得某事物
To succeed in bringing about or obtaining something, usually after sustained effort.
After years of negotiation, the diplomat finally compassed a lasting peace agreement.
經過多年談判，這位外交官終於達成了一份持久的和平協議。
compass + noun phrase (goal achieved)
The researchers compassed their goal of mapping the entire genome sequence.
研究人員達成了繪製完整基因組序列的目標。
Few leaders have compassed such sweeping reforms in so short a time.
很少有領導人能在如此短的時間內完成如此全面的改革。
The young inventor compassed what larger companies had failed to do for decades.
這位年輕發明家實現了大型公司數十年來都未能做到的事。
- achieve
the most common equivalent; neutral register
- accomplish
similar to achieve, but often emphasises completing a task
- attain
slightly more formal; often used with abstract goals (attain enlightenment)
文法句型
compass + noun phrase (goal or result)
用法筆記
Rare and formal. 'Achieve' or 'accomplish' are the standard words for everyday use.
3. To fully grasp the meaning, nature, or significance of something complex.
理解；領會
徹底掌握複雜事物的含義
To fully grasp the meaning, nature, or significance of something complex.
It took Salma weeks to compass the complexity of the legal document.
Salma 花了好幾週才完全理解這份法律文件的複雜性。
compass + abstract noun (complex idea)
The philosopher's ideas were so abstract that few students could compass them.
那位哲學家的思想過於抽象，幾乎沒有學生能夠理解。
Eve struggled to compass why her friend had suddenly stopped calling.
Eve 很難理解為什麼她的朋友突然不再聯絡了。
Kenji read the ancient poem several times before he could compass its deeper meaning.
Kenji 反覆閱讀這首古詩好幾遍後，才領會其深層含義。
- comprehend
the closest modern equivalent; still somewhat formal
- grasp
suggests working to understand something difficult
- understand
the standard everyday word
文法句型
compass + noun phrase (idea or concept)
用法筆記
Rare and literary. 'Understand' or 'comprehend' are the usual words in modern English.
4. To journey all the way around a place, especially by ship or aircraft.
環行；繞航
乘船或飛機繞行某地一周
To journey all the way around a place, especially by ship or aircraft.
The explorer became the first person to compass the entire coastline by kayak.
這位探險家成為第一個划獨木舟環繞整條海岸線的人。
compass + geographical noun (area travelled around)
Early sailors dreamed of compassing the globe, but few survived the attempt.
早期的水手夢想環航全球，但很少有人能活著完成。
The research vessel compassed the island twice before anchoring in the bay.
研究船繞行這座島嶼兩圈後才在海灣下錨。
The solo sailor spent three years compassing the southern ocean in a small boat.
這位獨自航行的水手花了三年時間，駕著小船環行南大洋。
- circumnavigate
the standard modern word for sailing or flying around something
- circle
more general; can refer to moving around anything, not just by ship or plane
文法句型
compass + noun phrase (geographical area)
用法筆記
Rare; 'circumnavigate' is the more common equivalent in modern English.