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Where does the word "compass" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin compassare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "compass" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin compassare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Compass’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: compassare meant “to pace out.” 'com-' plus 'passus', step. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as compas. A circle or measuring device. It reached English by 1300s as compass. The magnetic compass reached Europe in the 1100s. Today, compass means an instrument showing direction.
- Stage 1 · Vulgar Latin · ancient compassare "to pace out", 'com-' plus 'passus', step.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval compas "measure; circle", a circle or measuring device.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s compass "circle; measuring device", the magnetic compass reached Europe in the 1100s.