compass (drawing tool); pair of compasses
Specifically the drawing instrument with two legs, used for circles and measurements.
from Dutch kompas
I drew a circle using a compass in math class.
The navigational instrument that points north. Often clarified as 方位磁石 in technical contexts, but コンパス is common in everyday speech.
A compass is useful when you get lost in the mountains.
stride length; leg length
Colloquial use referring to the length of one's stride or legs, from the image of legs opening like a compass.
He walks fast because he has a long stride.
I drew an accurate circle with a compass.
The compass went haywire because of the strong magnetic field.
He walks fast because he has a long stride.
I set the compass to a 5-cm radius.