compassing

English

Etymology

From Middle English compassynge; equivalent to compass +‎ -ing.

Verb

compassing

1. present participle and gerund of compass

Adjective

compassing (comparative more compassing, superlative most compassing)

1. (shipbuilding) curved; bent

   compassing timbers

Noun

compassing (plural compassings)

1. (dated) The forming of plots or schemes; machination.
   • 1878, Texas. Court of Appeals, Alexander Melvorne Jackson, Cases Argued and Adjudged in the Court of Appeals of the State of Texas:

     If this proposition needed a reply, it would be sufficient to point to what we have already shown. But take the external circumstances surrounding the case, and they discover that inward intention of the prisoner. His deliberate compassings, the nature and character of the act done, the deliberation shown in preparing for the deed, the state and condition of his mind at the time—all these show express malice.

Middle English

Noun

compassing

1. Alternative form of compassynge