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measure

meas·ure [ méər ]


noun  (plural meas·ures)
Definition:
 
1. size: the size or extent of something, especially in comparison with a known standard

2. standard used for figuring size: a standard used for determining the dimensions, area, volume, or weight of something

3. system for determining size: a particular system used to determine the dimensions, area, volume, or weight of something

4. unit in system: a unit in a system that is used to determine the dimensions, area, volume, or weight of something

5. something used to figure quantity: something used to determine a quantity, e.g. a ruler, or a small container that holds a known volume

6. way of evaluating: a way of evaluating something, or a standard against which something can be compared

7. action taken: an action taken to make something happen or prevent something ( often used in the plural )
to take precautionary measures

8. standard amount of something: a standard amount of something, e.g. of an alcoholic beverage poured into a glass for drinking

9. degree of something: an extent or amount that is limited, appropriate, or has its size specified
Their help contributed in no small measure to our success.

10. limits: a limit or limits, especially one that is reasonable or appropriate
His rage had no measure.

11. music 
Same as  bar1n (sense 14)


12. law: a bill to be enacted into law, or a law that has been enacted

13. poetic meter: the rhythm of a piece of poetry

14. metrical foot: a unit of meter in poetry

15.  ( archaic )
Same as  dancev (sense 1)




plural noun meas·ures 
Definition:
 
mineral extract geology rock layers: strata of rock, especially when they contain a particular material



verb  (past and past participle meas·ured, present participle meas·ur·ing, 3rd person present singular meas·ures)
Definition:
 
1. transitive verb find size or quantity of something: to find out the size, length, quantity, or rate of something using a suitable instrument or device

2. transitive verb be particular size, length, quantity: to be a particular size, length, quantity, or rate

3. transitive verb assess something: to assess the effect or quality of something, often against a standard
You can't measure a hospital just by its facilities.

4. transitive verb determine somebody's size for clothes: to determine somebody's size in order to make a garment or garments that will fit
She was being measured for her wedding dress.

5. transitive verb compare something: to compare the size, effect, or quality of something with another thing
The champion needs to measure his skill against a worthy challenger.

6. transitive verb adjust something for effect: to adjust something so that it is suitable or effective
He measured his punch exactly to catch his opponent on the jaw.

7. intransitive verb journey: to travel a particular distance ( archaic )

[12th century. Via French mesure< Latin mensura< mens-, past participle of metiri "measure"]

meas·ur·er noun

beyond measure very greatly or to an enormous extent

for good measure as something extra to the amount required, especially to make sure of something

get or have or take somebody's measure to arrive at an accurate assessment of somebody's qualities or abilities


Cultural Note

Measure for Measure, a play (1604) by English dramatist William Shakespeare. Set in the court of the Duke of Vienna, this tragicomedy tells of a sister's attempts to win clemency for her brother, who has been condemned to death for the relatively minor crime of permissive behavior. It deals broadly with morality and the nature of justice.


Word History

The Latin stem mens-, from which measure derives, is also the source ofEnglishcommensurate,dimension, andimmense.

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