The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Compassing \Com"pass*ing\, a. (Shipbuilding)
   Curved; bent; as, compassing timbers.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Compass \Com"pass\ (k[u^]m"pas), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Compassed
   (k[u^]m"past); p. pr. & vb. n. Compassing.] [F. compasser,
   LL. compassare.]
   1. To go about or entirely round; to make the circuit of.
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            Ye shall compass the city seven times. --Josh. vi.
                                                  4.
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            We the globe can compass soon.        --Shak.
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   2. To inclose on all sides; to surround; to encircle; to
      environ; to invest; to besiege; -- used with about, round,
      around, and round about.
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            With terrors and with clamors compassed round.
                                                  --Milton.
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            Now all the blessings
            Of a glad father compass thee about.  --Shak.
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            Thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and
            compass thee round.                   --Luke xix.
                                                  43.
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   3. To reach round; to circumvent; to get within one's power;
      to obtain; to accomplish.
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            If I can check my erring love, I will:
            If not, to compass her I'll use my skill. --Shak.
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            How can you hope to compass your designs? --Denham.
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   4. To curve; to bend into a circular form. [Obs. except in
      carpentry and shipbuilding.] --Shak.
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   5. (Law) To purpose; to intend; to imagine; to plot.
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            Compassing and imagining the death of the king are
            synonymous terms; compassing signifying the purpose
            or design of the mind or will, and not, as in common
            speech, the carrying such design to effect.
                                                  --Blackstone.
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