compasses
Geometry class tools
Compasses is the plural of compass in its various senses.
A compass is an instrument for finding direction, with a magnetized needle pointing north.
A pair of compasses—often just called compasses—is a drafting tool with two hinged legs for drawing circles or measuring distances: She set the compasses to three inches and drew an arc.
Figuratively, compass means scope or range: within the compass of human understanding.
Things that partition space
- calipersAdjustable-jaw measuring device
- arcCurved line segment
- circleCurved closed shape
- radiusCenter-to-perimeter distance
diameter · protractor · straightedge · trammel · blueprint · geometry · plotting · scale
Naturally magnetic mineral
- magnetiteMagnetic iron ore
- needlePointed implement for sewing
- polarityState of opposing forces
- declinationAngular distance from equator
deviation · geomagnetism · ferromagnetism · iron · dipole · dip · variation · gimbal
Posture or orientation
- azimuthHorizontal directional angle
- headingDirectional course traveled
- coursePlanned path forward
- orientationPosition relative to surroundings
cardinal · north · south · east · west · northeast · northwest · southeast
Advice for decisions
limits · reach · extent · grasp · purview · parameters · boundaries · span
Spinning disc measuring orientation
- inertialRelating to resistance to change
- aircraftAirborne transportation vehicle
- shipSeagoing transport vessel
- navigationDetermining position and course
stabilization · spinning · mechanical · electronic · aviation · maritime · heading · attitude
dividers
Things that partition space
radius · diameter · protractor · straightedge · trammel · blueprint · geometry · plotting · scale · drafting
lodestone
Naturally magnetic mineral
declination · deviation · geomagnetism · ferromagnetism · iron · dipole · dip · variation · gimbal · card
bearing
Posture or orientation
orientation · cardinal · north · south · east · west · northeast · northwest · southeast · southwest
guidance
Advice for decisions
bounds · limits · reach · extent · grasp · purview · parameters · boundaries · span · ambit
gyroscope
Spinning disc measuring orientation
- inertialRelating to resistance to change
- aircraftAirborne transportation vehicle
- shipSeagoing transport vessel
navigation · stabilization · spinning · mechanical · electronic · aviation · maritime · heading · attitude · orientation
- Age of ExplorationColumbus, Marco Polo, exploration, explorers, expeditions
- militariabayonets, medals, military patches, military insignia, dog tags
- maritimeships, ship, boat, boats, anchors
- artifactspottery shards, knives, masks, pottery, antiquity
- maritime historysailors, ships, seamen, sailing ships, celestial navigation
- nauticalanchor, anchor chain, anchors, boat, boats
compassesstraightedge
Line-drawing tool
ruler · T-square · triangle · protractor · set square
compassesexcludes
Deliberately leaves out
omits · fails · leaves out · forfeits · neglects
- moral compassInner ethical guidance system
- compass pointNamed navigational direction
- compass directionsFour main orientations
- compass needleMagnetized directional indicator
- compass roseCartographic direction indicator
- moral compassesInternal ethical guidance systems