compass out
C1 formal separable transitive
In simple words
To draw the shape or border of something carefully, like using a drawing compass to make a circle.
Literal meaning: To draw outward using a compass instrument.
Meanings
1 C1 formal
To draw or measure the outline or boundary of an area using a compass or similar instrument.
"The surveyor compasseed out the perimeter of the new estate before construction began."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
This is a rare and largely archaic phrasal verb, found mainly in historical texts or technical surveying language. Unlikely to be encountered in everyday modern English. Included here for completeness.
Commonly used with
boundary area circle territory perimeter
Forms
Base
compass out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
compasses out
he/she/it
Past simple
compassed out
yesterday
Past participle
compassed out
have + pp
-ing form
compassing out
continuous
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