noun 1.a unit or standard of
measurement: weights and measures. 3.an instrument, as a graduated rod or a container of standard capacity, for measuring.
4.the extent, dimensions, quantity, etc., of something, ascertained especially 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. EXPAND6.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.
Compare meter2 (def. 1b). 15.a particular kind of such arrangement.
17.Music. a.the music contained between two bar lines; bar.
c.a slow, dignified dance.
18.Printing. the width, measured in ems or picas, to
which a column or page of printed matter is
set.
19.measures, Geology. beds; strata.
20.Mathematics. an abstraction of the property of length; a set function assigning to each set of a collection of sets a value, usually having the properties of sigma finiteness and fnite additivity, the functional value of the whole collection being greater than zero.
COLLAPSE verb (used with object) 21.to ascertain the extent, dimensions, quantity, capacity, etc., of, especially by comparison with a standard: to measure boundaries.
22.to mark off or deal out by way of
measurement (often followed by
off or
out):
to measure out two cups of flour. 23.to estimate the relative amount, value, etc., of, by comparison with some standard: to measure the importance of an issue.
24.to judge or appraise by comparison with something or someone else: to measure Corneille against Racine.
25.to serve as the measure of:
Her sacrifices measure the degree of her love. EXPAND26.to adjust or proportion: to measure a portion to one's liking.
27.to bring into comparison or competition: to measure one's strength with another's.
28.to travel over; traverse: to measure a room with great strides.
COLLAPSE verb (used without object) 31.to be of a specified measure.
Verb phrase32.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.
Idioms33.beyond measure, too much to be reckoned; immeasurably; extremely: The suffering that they endured was beyond measure.
34.for good measure, as an extra: In addition to dessert, they served chocolates for good measure.
35.have/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.
36.in a/some measure, to some extent or degree: His conclusion is justified in some measure.
37.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.
EXPAND38.measure swords, a.to test one's preparedness for a contest or encounter.
c.to fight, compete, etc.: The producer of the poorly reviewed show decided to measure swords with the critics.
COLLAPSE
Origin: 1250–1300; Middle English mesure <
Middle French <
Latin mēnsūra equivalent to
mēns(us) (past participle of
mētīrī to measure, mete) +
-ūra -ure Related formsmeas·ur·er, noun
in·ter·meas·ure, verb (used with object), in·ter·meas·ured, in·ter·meas·ur·ing.
mis·meas·ure, verb, mis·meas·ured, mis·meas·ur·ing.
out·meas·ure, verb (used with object), out·meas·ured, out·meas·ur·ing.
pre·meas·ure, verb (used with object), pre·meas·ured, pre·meas·ur·ing.
EXPANDre·meas·ure, verb (used with object), re·meas·ured, re·meas·ur·ing.
un·der·meas·ure, verb (used with object), un·der·meas·ured, un·der·meas·ur·ing, noun
COLLAPSE