measure
[ mezh-er ]
/ ˈmɛʒ ər /
noun
a unit or standard of measurement: weights and measures.
a system of measurement: liquid measure.
an instrument, as a graduated rod or a container of standard capacity, for measuring.
the extent, dimensions, quantity, etc., of something, ascertained especially by comparison with a standard: to take the measure of a thing.
the act or process of ascertaining the extent, dimensions, or quantity of something; measurement.
a definite or known quantity measured out: to drink a measure of wine.
any standard of comparison, estimation, or judgment.
a quantity, degree, or proportion: in large measure.
a moderate amount: to live with a measure of enjoyment.
a limit, or an extent or degree not to be exceeded: to know no measure.
reasonable bounds or limits: to know no measure.
a legislative bill or enactment: The senate passed the new measure.
Usually measures.
actions or procedures intended as a means to an end: to take measures to avert suspicion.
a short rhythmical movement or arrangement, as in poetry or music.
Compare meter2(def 1b).
a particular kind of such arrangement.
a metrical unit.
Music.
- the music contained between two bar lines; bar.
- an air or melody.
- a slow, dignified dance.
Printing.
the width, measured in ems or picas, to which a column or page of printed matter is set.
measures, Geology.
beds; strata.
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.
verb (used with object), meas·ured, meas·ur·ing.
to ascertain the extent, dimensions, quantity, capacity, etc., of, especially by comparison with a standard: to measure boundaries.
to mark off or deal out by way of measurement (often followed by off or out): to measure out two cups of flour.
to estimate the relative amount, value, etc., of, by comparison with some standard: to measure the importance of an issue.
to judge or appraise by comparison with something or someone else: to measure Corneille against Racine.
to serve as the measure of: Her sacrifices measure the degree of her love.
to adjust or proportion: to measure a portion to one's liking.
to bring into comparison or competition: to measure one's strength with another's.
to travel over; traverse: to measure a room with great strides.
verb (used without object), meas·ured, meas·ur·ing.
to take measurements.
to admit of measurement.
to be of a specified measure.
Verb Phrases
measure up,
- to reach a certain standard: The exhibition didn't measure up to last year's.
- to be capable or qualified: As an administrator, he couldn't quite measure up.
Idioms for measure
beyond measure,
too much to be reckoned; immeasurably; extremely: The suffering that they endured was beyond measure.
for good measure,
as an extra: In addition to dessert, they served chocolates for good measure.
- to test one's preparedness for a contest or encounter.
- to battle with swords.
- to fight, compete, etc.: The producer of the poorly reviewed show decided to measure swords with the critics.
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.
in a/some measure,
to some extent or degree: His conclusion is justified in some measure.
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.
measure swords,
Origin of measure
1250–1300; Middle English
mesure, from Middle French, from Latin
mēnsūra, equivalent to
mēns(us), past participle of
mētīrī “to measure, mete” +
-ūra
-ure
OTHER WORDS FROM measure
meas·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.
re·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
Words nearby measure
Example sentences from the Web for measures
Parliament looks at measures to monitor toddlers for anti-Semitic speech.
Britain May Spy on Preschoolers Searching for Potential Jihadis |Nico Hines |January 7, 2015 |DAILY BEASTExperts agree that much will depend on the measures undertaken both by the United States and Cuba.
Human rights groups, however, said the measures were “draconian” and counter-productive.
By most measures, it is the dirtiest fossil fuel on the planet.
The Pipeline From Hell: There’s No Good Reason to Build Keystone XL |Jack Holmes |November 15, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
All these measures were taken to halt the blood-sucking tendencies of the recently deceased.
The statesman felt it; it put new vigor into the despatches he wrote and the measures he devised with regard to the slave-trade.
The Personal Life Of David Livingstone |William Garden BlaikieThe Protestants were, however, much alarmed by these measures, as indicative of the intolerant policy of the new king.
The Empire of Austria; Its Rise and Present Power |John S. C. AbbottThe bride is taken into the house, and her maternal uncle sits at the entrance, and measures a new cloth, which he gives to her.
Castes and Tribes of Southern India |Edgar ThurstonSo far, these measures might be interpreted as marks of pure and disinterested affection for the soul of the departed.
The Belief in Immortality and the Worship of the Dead, Volume I (of 3) |Sir James George FrazerIt was by his command of public opinion that Pitt had been able to force his measures on the king.
History of the English People, Volume VIII (of 8) |John Richard Green
British Dictionary definitions for measures (1 of 2)
measures
/ (ˈmɛʒəz) /
pl n
rock strata that are characterized by a particular type of sediment or deposit
coal measures
British Dictionary definitions for measures (2 of 2)
measure
/ (ˈmɛʒə) /
noun
the extent, quantity, amount, or degree of something, as determined by measurement or calculation
a device for measuring distance, volume, etc, such as a graduated scale or container
a system of measurement
give the size in metric measure
a standard used in a system of measurements
the international prototype kilogram is the measure of mass in SI units
a specific or standard amount of something
a measure of grain; short measure; full measure
a basis or standard for comparison
his work was the measure of all subsequent attempts
reasonable or permissible limit or bounds
we must keep it within measure
degree or extent (often in phrases such as in some measure, in a measure, etc)
they gave him a measure of freedom
(often plural)
a particular action intended to achieve an effect
they took measures to prevent his leaving
a legislative bill, act, or resolution
to bring in a measure
music another word for bar 1 (def. 15a)
prosody
poetic rhythm or cadence; metre
a metrical foot
poetic
a melody or tune
the act of measuring; measurement
archaic
a dance
printing
the width of a page or column of type
for good measure
as an extra precaution or beyond requirements
get the measure of someone or get someone's measure
to assess the nature, character, quality, etc, of someone
made to measure
(of clothes) made to fit an individual purchaser
verb
(tr often foll by up)
to determine the size, amount, etc, of by measurement
(intr)
to make a measurement or measurements
(tr)
to estimate or determine
I measured his strength to be greater than mine
(tr)
to function as a measurement of
the ohm measures electrical resistance
(tr)
to bring into competition or conflict
he measured his strength against that of his opponent
(intr)
to be as specified in extent, amount, etc
the room measures six feet
(tr)
to travel or move over as if measuring
(tr)
to adjust or choose
he measured his approach to suit the character of his client
(intr)
to allow or yield to measurement
Derived forms of measure
measurer, nounWord Origin for measure
C13: from Old French, from Latin
mēnsūra measure, from
mēnsus, past participle of
mētīrī to measure
Medical definitions for measures
measure
[ mĕzh′ər ]
n.
Dimensions, quantity, or capacity as ascertained by comparison with a standard.
A reference standard or sample used for the quantitative comparison of properties.
A unit specified by a scale, such as a degree, or by variable conditions, such as room temperature.
A system of measurement, such as the metric system.
A device used for measuring.
The act of measuring.
An evaluation or a basis of comparison.
Extent or degree.
A definite quantity that has been measured out.
v.
To ascertain the dimensions, quantity, or capacity of.
To mark, lay out, or establish dimensions for by measuring.
To bring into comparison.
To mark off or apportion, usually with reference to a given unit of measurement.
To serve as a measure of.
Idioms and Phrases with measures
measure
In addition to the idiom beginning with measure
- measure up
also see:
- beyond measure
- for good measure
- in some measure
- made to measure
- take someone's measure