Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Compasses
Com′pass-es
,Noun.
pl.
An instrument for describing circles, measuring figures, etc., consisting of two, or (rarely) more, pointed branches, or legs, usually joined at the top by a rivet on which they move.
☞ The compasses for drawing circles have adjustable pen points, pencil points, etc.; those used for measuring without adjustable points are generally called dividers. See
Dividers
. Bow compasses
. See
– Bow-compass
. Caliber compasses
, Caliper compasses
See
– Calipers
. Proportional
, Triangular
, etc., compasses
See under
Proportional
, etc.