compass

boussole

Appareil qui indique les directions, généralement grâce à une aiguille pointant vers le nord.

En anglais simple : A device that shows directions, usually with a needle pointing north.

• Take a compass on your walk.
• The compass needle points north.
• We found our way through the forest with a compass.

Expressions courantes : use a compass, compass needle, magnetic compass

compas

Outil à deux branches, dont une porte un crayon, servant à tracer des cercles.

En anglais simple : A tool with two arms, one holding a pencil, used to draw circles.

• Use a compass to draw the circle.
• She adjusted the compass to a wider radius.
• Keep the sharp compass point away from your fingers.

Synonymes : pair of compasses

Expressions courantes : draw with compass, compass point

étendue, tessiture

Ensemble des notes qu’une voix ou un instrument peut produire, de la plus grave à la plus aiguë.

En anglais simple : The range from the lowest to the highest note that a voice or instrument can produce.

• Her voice has a wide compass.
• The melody lies within the compass of a flute.
• These notes exceed the instrument’s compass.

Synonymes : range

Expressions courantes : vocal compass, wide compass

entourer, encercler

Se trouver tout autour de quelqu’un ou de quelque chose, ou en faire le tour complet.

En anglais simple : To be or go all the way around someone or something.

• High walls compass the city.
• Thick woods compassed the old house.
• They feared the enemies who compassed them about.

Synonymes : surround, encircle

Expressions courantes : compass a city, compass someone about