How Do You Spell COMPASS NEEDLES?

Pronunciation: [kˈʌmpəs nˈiːdə͡lz] (IPA)

The spelling of "compass needles" might seem simple, but there are some tricky phonetic elements to it. The initial "c" is pronounced as /k/, followed by the short "o" sound as /ɒ/. The "m" is pronounced as /m/, but the following "p" is silent. The "a" in "compass" is pronounced as /ʌ/, and the stress falls on the second syllable. Finally, the "n" in "needles" is pronounced as /n/, and the "ee" sound is spelled with a double "e" and pronounced as /iː/.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
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COMPASS NEEDLES Meaning and Definition

  1. Compass needles refer to the slender, pointed objects that are an integral part of compasses used for navigation. A compass needle is typically a strip of magnetic material, such as steel or iron, that is magnetized to serve as a magnet itself. It is often balanced on a pivot or allowed to move freely within a case so that it can align itself with the Earth's magnetic field and point towards the Earth's magnetic north pole.

    The orientation of a compass needle depends on the principle of magnetism, which centers around the phenomena associated with the interaction of magnetic fields. As a result, when a compass needle is placed in a magnetic field, it aligns itself with the surrounding magnetic field lines, allowing the user to approximate the direction of magnetic north. This makes compass needles an essential tool for navigation, particularly in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and boating.

    It is worth noting that the direction provided by a compass needle is not necessarily the same as true north, as there is a difference between magnetic north and geographical (true) north. This variation, known as magnetic declination, needs to be taken into account when using a compass for accurate navigation.

    In summary, compass needles are slender, magnetized strips used in compasses to determine the approximate direction of magnetic north. They rely on the principles of magnetism to align themselves with the Earth's magnetic field, enabling users to navigate and orient themselves in relation to the Earth's magnetic poles.

Common Misspellings for COMPASS NEEDLES

  • compass-needle
  • xompass needles
  • vompass needles
  • fompass needles
  • dompass needles
  • cimpass needles
  • ckmpass needles
  • clmpass needles
  • cpmpass needles
  • c0mpass needles
  • c9mpass needles
  • conpass needles
  • cokpass needles
  • cojpass needles
  • comoass needles
  • comlass needles
  • com-ass needles
  • com0ass needles
  • compzss needles
  • compsss needles

Etymology of COMPASS NEEDLES

The etymology of the term "compass needles" can be understood by examining the individual words:

1. Compass: The word "compass" derives from the Latin word "cambire" meaning "to pace out or measure". It further evolved in Old French as "compas", referring to a mathematical instrument used to draw circles or arcs. Over time, "compass" came to refer to the navigational instrument used to determine direction.

2. Needles: The word "needles" is the plural form of "needle", originating from the Old English word "nȳdl" or "nǣdl". It refers to a thin, pointed object, commonly made of metal, used for various purposes such as sewing or as a component of compasses.