Etymology:
Meaning:
A compass is a navigational instrument used to determine direction. It consists of a magnetic needle that points to magnetic north and a surrounding ring or compass card that is calibrated with the cardinal directions.
Origin:
The compass originated in China during the Han dynasty (202 BCE - 220 CE). It was initially used for geomancy, the practice of determining a site's feng shui based on its location and orientation. However, it soon found applications in navigation, as it allowed sailors to determine their direction even on cloudy days or at night.
The compass was introduced to Europe in the 12th century through Arab merchants. It quickly became an essential tool for navigation, making possible the great voyages of exploration that followed.
Historical Development:
Etymology Encompass comes from the Old French word encompasser meaning to surroun
Etymology Old French compas Latin compassus stride Vulgar Latin compassare to
Etymology Old French compas Latin compassus stride Vulgar Latin compassare to
Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin history and development of words It exa
Etymology Expanse derives from the Latin word expansus meaning spread out or ext
Etymology Latin expansio From the verb expandere meaning to spread out unfold
Etymology The word expansive is derived from the Latin word expansus which means
Etymology The word fathom derives from the Old English word fæðm which originally
Etymology The word pace has multiple origins but the most common is from the Latin wo
Etymology Paella is derived from the Late Latin word patella meaning pan The word
Etymology From Latin pandiculātiō from pandiculāri to stretch lazily Meaning
Etymology and Origin The word pass comes from the Old French word passer meaning t
Etymology The word passe derives from the French word passer which means to pass
Etymology The word passim originates from the Latin word passus meaning step or
Etymology From Italian passacaglia from Spanish pasacalle from pasar to pass call
Etymology The word passage comes from the Old French word passage which in turn der
Etymology The word passenger comes from the Old French word passager which in turn
Etymology The word passport originates from the Late Latin term passaporta or passuspo
Etymology The word patent comes from the Latin word patere meaning to be open or s
Etymology The word patent originates from the Latin term patens meaning open or exp
Etymology Latin patina shallow dish Italian patina pan plate Greek patane s
Etymology The word petal is derived from the Late Latin word petalum which in turn
Etymology The word spandrel is derived from the old French term espandre meaning t
Etymology Middle English spawnen from Old Norse spá meaning footprint or track
Etymology The word range originates from the Old French word reng which means row o
Etymology The word reach comes from the Middle English word rechen which is of Old E
Etymology Old English graspian meaning to seize or take hold of From Proto Germani
etymology Derivation From the Latin orientātio act of orienting from the present a
Etymology Middle English compressen from Anglo French compresser from Latin compress
Etymology The word Mercator is derived from the Latin word mercator which means mer
Etymology The word orient originates from the Old French orient which itself derive
Etymology Latin attingere to touch reach Proto Indo European teg teŋk to
Etymology Old English anger noun and verb derived from the Proto Germanic root an
Etymology The term ballpark originated in the 19th century from the early days of baseb
