Their wisdom . . . lies in a very narrow compass.
Addison.
4. Extent; reach; sweep; capacity; sphere; as, the compass of his eye; the compass of imagination.
The compass of his argument.
Wordsworth.
5. Moderate bounds, limits of truth; moderation; due limits; -- used with within.
In two hundred years before (I speak within compass), no such commission had been executed.
Sir J. Davies.
6. (Mus.) The range of notes, or tones, within the capacity of a voice or instrument.
You would sound me from my lowest note to the top of my compass.
Shak.
7. An instrument for determining directions upon the earth's surface by means of a magnetized bar or needle turning freely upon a pivot and pointing in a northerly and southerly direction.
He that first discovered the use of the compass did more for the supplying and increase of useful commodities than those who built workhouses.
Locke.