[f. as prec. + -ING2.] That compasses: see the vb.
c. 1440. Generydes, 4163. By a subtill and false compassing trayn, Clarionas … is betrayed.
1576. Fleming, Panop. Epist., 400. His fine compassing witte and eloquence.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., II. ii. III. (1651), 245. Every fixed star a Sun, with his compassing Planets.
b. Curving, curved.
1576. Fleming, Panop. Epist., ¶ iij b. The crooked turnings, and the compassing arbours of the same [garden].
1588–1607. [see COMPASS v.1 15].
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789), H ij b. A strong piece of timber incurvated nearly into a circular arch, or, according to the technical term, compassing.
c. 1850. Rudim. Navig. (Weale), 107. Compassing, crooked or curved.
Hence † Compassingly adv. Obs., in a curve.
1578. Banister, Hist. Man, IV. 52. When the one [muscle] worketh onely, then is the head compassingly turned to the one side.
