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the expansive force of heat; the expansive quality of air. A more expansive and generous compassion. Eustace. His forehead was broad and expansive. Prescott. -- Ex*pan"sive*ly, adv. -Ex*pan"sive*ness, n.

Position as to points of compass, or to influences of climate, etc. "Under a southern exposure. Evelyn. The best exposure of the two for woodcocks. Sir. W. Scott.

Space or degree to which a thing is extended; hence, superficies; compass; bulk; size; length; as, an extent of country or of line; extent of information or of charity. Life in its large extent is scare a span. Cotton.

To encompass with the arms extended or encircling; to measure by throwing the arms about; to span. [Obs.] Purchas.

to accomplishment; to achieve; to make; to perform, with certain objects; as, to fetch a compass; to fetch a leap; to fetch a sigh. I'll fetch a turn about the garden. Shak. He fetches his blow quick and sure. South.

To fix or direct with firmness. [Obs.] He on his card and compass firms his eye. Spenser.

flake of snow, tallow, or fish. "Lottle flakes of scurf." Addison. Great flakes of ice encompassing our boat. Evelyn.

That part of a compass on which the points are marked; the compass card. Totten.

t or reading of the leveling staff, except the backsight; any sight or bearing taken by a compass or theodolite in a forward direction.

Disposed to forgive; inclined to overlook offenses; mild; merciful; compassionate; placable; as, a forgiving temper. -- For*giv"ing*ly, adv. -- For*giv"ing*ness, n. J. C. Shairp.

Tender. [Obs.] Deep indignation and compassion. Spenser.

long, narrow blade, used in cutting frets, scrolls, etc.; a scroll saw; a keyhole saw; a compass saw.

To draw up or gather into close compass; to wrap or roll, as a sail, close to the yard, stay, or mast, or, as a flag, close to or around its staff, securing it there by a gasket or line. Totten.

Anything extremely bitter; bitterness; rancor. He hath . . . compassed me with gall and travail. Lam. iii. 5. Comedy diverted without gall. Dryden.

y to incline freely in all directions, or for suspending anything, as a barometer, ship's compass, chronometer, etc., so that it will remain plumb, or level, when its support is tipped, as by the rolling of a ship. It consists of a ring in which the body can turn on an axis through a diameter of the ring, while the rin…

To surround; to encircle, or encompass. That Nyseian isle, Girt with the River Triton. Milton.

Encompassed with gold.

The compass or sharpness of a ship's stern under the water, having a tendency to make her keep a good wind. (c) pl.

hanging object; as, the hanging post of a gate, the post which holds the hinges. Hanging compass, a compass suspended so that the card may be read from beneath. -- Hanging garden, a garden sustained at an artificial elevation by any means, as by the terraces at Babylon. -- Hanging indentation. See under Indentation.…

The fore parts of the wales, which encompass the bow of a vessel, and are fastened to the stem. [Written also harpins.] Totten.