Part 2176

<hw>Com`par*ti"tion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[LL. <ets>compartitio</ets>.]</ety> <def>The act of dividing into parts or compartments; division; also, a division or compartment.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>Their temples . . . needed no <b>compartitions</b>. <i>Sir H. Wotton.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Compartment</h1> <Xpage=287>

<hw>Com*part"ment</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F. <ets>compartiment</ets>, OF. <ets>compartir</ets> to divide. See <er>Compart</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>One of the parts into which an inclosed portion of space is divided, as by partitions, or lines; <as>as, the <ex>compartments</ex> of a cabinet, a house, or a garden</as>.</def>

<blockquote>In the midst was placed a large <b>compartment</b> composed of grotesque work. <i>Carew.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Shipbuilding)</fld> <def>One of the sections into which the hold of a ship is divided by water-tight bulkheads.</def>

<h1>Compartner</h1> <Xpage=287>

<hw>Com*part"ner</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>See <er>Copartner</er>.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<h1>Compass</h1> <Xpage=287>

<hw>Com"pass</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F. <ets>compas</ets>, fr. LL. <ets>compassus</ets> circle, prop., a stepping together; <ets>com-</ets> + <ets>passus</ets> pace, step. See <er>Pace</er>, <er>Pass</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>A passing round; circuit; circuitous course.</def>

<blockquote>They fetched a <b>compass</b> of seven day's journey. <i>2 Kings iii. 9.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>This day I breathed first; time is come round, And where I did begin, there shall I end; My life is run his <b>compass</b>. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>An inclosing limit; boundary; circumference; <as>as, within the <ex>compass</ex> of an encircling wall</as>.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>An inclosed space; an area; extent.</def>

<blockquote>Their wisdom . . . lies in a very narrow <b>compass</b>. <i>Addison.</i></blockquote>

<hr> <page="289"> Page 289<p>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>Extent; reach; sweep; capacity; sphere; <as>as, the <ex>compass</ex> of his eye; the <ex>compass</ex> of imagination.</as></def>

<blockquote>The <b>compass</b> of his argument. <i>Wodsworth.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>Moderate bounds, limits of truth; moderation; due limits; -- used with <i>within</i>.</def>

<blockquote>In two hundred years before (I speak within <b>compass</b>), no such commission had been executed. <i>Sir J. Davies.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>6.</b> <fld>(Mus.)</fld> <def>The range of notes, or tones, within the capacity of a voice or instument.</def>

<blockquote>You would sound me from my lowest note to the top of my <b>compass</b>. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>7.</b> <def>An instrument for determining directions upon the carth's surface by means of a magnetized bar or needle turning freely upon a pivot and pinting in a northerly and southerly direction.</def>

<blockquote>He that firat discovered the use of the <b>compass</b> did more for the supplying and increase of useful commodities than those who built workhouses. <i>Locke.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>8.</b> <def>A pair of compasses.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<blockquote>To fix one foot of their <b>compass</b> wherever they please. <i>Swift.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>9.</b> <def>A circle; a continent.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>The tryne <b>compas</b> [the threefold world containing earth, sea, and heaven. <i>Skeat</i>.] <i>Chaucer.</i></blockquote>