compassing

verb

1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present)present participle and gerund of compass

adj

1. curved; bent

   “compassing timbers”

noun

1. (dated)The forming of plots or schemes; machination.

   “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.”