com·pass 
/ˈkʌmpəs/ noun
plural com·pass·es /ˈkʌmpəs/ noun 1 [count] : a device that is used to find direction by means of a needle that always points north
▪ He always carries a compass when he walks in the woods. ▪ Guests arrived from all points of the compass. [=directions] 2 [count] : something that helps a person make choices about what is right, effective, etc.
▪ His religion is the compass that guides him. ▪ Interest rates serve as a compass for determining whether to buy or sell stocks. ▪ The character in the movie had no moral compass to tell him that stealing was wrong. 3 [count] a : a tool that consists of two pointed sticks joined at the top and that is used for measuring distances — often plural ▪ a pair of compasses [=dividers]
b : a tool that consists of a pen or pencil attached to a pointed stick and that is used for drawing circles 4 [noncount] : a specialized area of knowledge, skill, experience, etc. — often used after beyond or within ▪ That topic falls beyond the compass [=beyond the scope] of my research.
▪ He always carries a compass when he walks in the woods. ▪ Guests arrived from all points of the compass. [=directions]
▪ His religion is the compass that guides him. ▪ Interest rates serve as a compass for determining whether to buy or sell stocks. ▪ The character in the movie had no moral compass to tell him that stealing was wrong.
b : a tool that consists of a pen or pencil attached to a pointed stick and that is used for drawing circles
