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measure one length

 - 4 dictionary results

meas⋅ure

[mezh-er] noun, verb, -ured, -ur⋅ing.
–noun
1. a unit or standard of measurement: weights and measures.
2. a system of measurement: liquid measure.
3. an instrument, as a graduated rod or a container of standard capacity, for measuring.
4. the extent, dimensions, quantity, etc., of something, ascertained esp. by comparison with a standard: to take the measure of a thing.
5. the act or process of ascertaining the extent, dimensions, or quantity of something; measurement.
6. a definite or known quantity measured out: to drink a measure of wine.
7. any standard of comparison, estimation, or judgment.
8. a quantity, degree, or proportion: in large measure.
9. a moderate amount: to live with a measure of enjoyment.
10. a limit, or an extent or degree not to be exceeded: to know no measure.
11. reasonable bounds or limits: to know no measure.
12. a legislative bill or enactment: The senate passed the new measure.
13. Usually, measures. actions or procedures intended as a means to an end: to take measures to avert suspicion.
14. a short rhythmical movement or arrangement, as in poetry or music.
15. a particular kind of such arrangement.
16. the music contained between two bar lines; bar.
17. a metrical unit.
18. an air or melody.
19. a slow, dignified dance.
20. Printing. the width, measured in ems or picas, to which a column or page of printed matter is set.
21. measures, Geology. beds; strata.
22. Mathematics. an abstraction of the property of length; a set function assigning to each set of a collection of sets a value, usu. having the properties of sigma finiteness and fnite additivity, the functional value of the whole collection being greater than zero.
–verb (used with object)
23. to ascertain the extent, dimensions, quantity, capacity, etc., of, esp. by comparison with a standard: to measure boundaries.
24. to mark off or deal out by way of measurement (often fol. by off or out): to measure out two cups of flour.
25. to estimate the relative amount, value, etc., of, by comparison with some standard: to measure the importance of an issue.
26. to judge or appraise by comparison with something or someone else: to measure Corneille against Racine.
27. to serve as the measure of: Her sacrifices measure the degree of her love.
28. to adjust or proportion: to measure a portion to one's liking.
29. to bring into comparison or competition: to measure one's strength with another's.
30. to travel over; traverse: to measure a room with great strides.
–verb (used without object)
31. to take measurements.
32. to admit of measurement.
33. to be of a specified measure.
34. measure up,
a. to reach a certain standard: The exhibition didn't measure up to last year's.
b. to be capable or qualified: As an administrator, he couldn't quite measure up.
35. beyond measure, too much to be reckoned; immeasurably; extremely: The suffering that they endured was beyond measure.
36. for good measure, as an extra: In addition to dessert, they served chocolates for good measure.
37. have or take someone's measure, to judge or assess someone's character, capabilities, etc.; size up: During their conversation she was taking his measure as a prospective employee.
38. in a or some measure, to some extent or degree: His conclusion is justified in some measure.
39. measure one's length, to fall or be knocked down; fall flat: He missed a step in the dark and measured his length at the bottom.
40. measure swords,
a. to test one's preparedness for a contest or encounter.
b. to battle with swords.
c. to fight, compete, etc.: The producer of the poorly reviewed show decided to measure swords with the critics.

Origin:
1250–1300; ME mesure < MF < L mēnsūra equiv. to mēns(us) (ptp. of mētīrī to measure, mete) + -ūra -ure


meas⋅ur⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To measure one length
Word Origin & History

measure  (v.)
c.1300, from O.Fr. mesurer, from L.L. mensurare "to measure," from L. mensura "a measuring, a thing to measure by," from mensus, pp. of metiri "to measure," from PIE *ma-/*me- "measure" (see meter (2)). Replaced O.E. cognate mæð "measure." The noun also is attested from c.1300. Meaning "treatment 'meted out' to someone" is from 1593; that of "plan or course of action intended to obtain some goal" is from 1698; sense of "legislative enactment" is from 1759. To measure up "have the necessary abilities" is 1910, Amer.Eng. Phrase for good measure (1382) is lit. "ample in quantity, in goods sold by measure."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 2measure
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: mea·sured; mea·sur·ing /'mezh-(&-)ri[ng], 'mAzh-/
transitive senses
1 : to allot or apportion in measured amounts
2 : to ascertain the measurements of
3 : to serve as a measure ofmeasures temperature> measure intransitive senses
: to have a specified measurement
Medical Dictionary

measure meas·ure (mězh'ər)
n.

  1. Dimensions, quantity, or capacity as ascertained by comparison with a standard.

  2. A reference standard or sample used for the quantitative comparison of properties.

  3. A unit specified by a scale, such as a degree, or by variable conditions, such as room temperature.

  4. A system of measurement, such as the metric system.

  5. A device used for measuring.

  6. The act of measuring.

  7. An evaluation or a basis of comparison.

  8. Extent or degree.

  9. A definite quantity that has been measured out.

v. meas·ured, meas·ur·ing, meas·ures
  1. To ascertain the dimensions, quantity, or capacity of.

  2. To mark, lay out, or establish dimensions for by measuring.

  3. To bring into comparison.

  4. To mark off or apportion, usually with reference to a given unit of measurement.

  5. To serve as a measure of.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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