compass

Noun

• drafting instrument used for drawing circles

• the limit of capability
  • within the compass of education
    

• an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
  • a piano has a greater range than the human voice
    
  • the ambit of municipal legislation
    
  • within the compass of this article
    
  • within the scope of an investigation
    
  • outside the reach of the law
    
  • in the political orbit of a world power
    

• navigational instrument for finding directions

Verb

• get the meaning of something
  • Do you comprehend the meaning of this letter?
    

• travel around, either by plane or ship
  • We compassed the earth
    

• bring about; accomplish
  • This writer attempts more than his talents can compass
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  range , reach , grasp , scope , orbit , ambit , grok , get the picture , comprehend , savvy , dig , apprehend , circumnavigate