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.

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,

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.

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

measles virus, measles virus vaccine, measles, mumps, rubella vaccine, measly, measurable, measure, measure for measure, measure of central tendency, measure off, measure out, measure up

British Dictionary definitions for take someone's measure

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

See also measure off, measure out, measures, measure up

Derived forms of measure

measurer, noun

Word Origin for measure

C13: from Old French, from Latin mēnsūra measure, from mēnsus, past participle of mētīrī to measure

Medical definitions for take someone's measure

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 take someone's measure (1 of 2)

take someone's measure

Also, take the measure of someone. Size someone up, evaluate someone or something, as in At their first meeting, heads of state generally try to take each other's measure, or The voters are taking the measure of the union's demands. [Mid-1600s]

Idioms and Phrases with take someone's measure (2 of 2)

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

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

measure

noun

verb (used with object), meas·ured, meas·ur·ing.

verb (used without object), meas·ured, meas·ur·ing.

Verb Phrases

Idioms for measure

Origin of measure

OTHER WORDS FROM measure

Words nearby measure

British Dictionary definitions for take someone's measure

noun

verb

Derived forms of measure

Word Origin for measure

Medical definitions for take someone's measure

n.

v.

Idioms and Phrases with take someone's measure (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with take someone's measure (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

measure

noun

verb (used with object), meas·ured, meas·ur·ing.

verb (used without object), meas·ured, meas·ur·ing.

Verb Phrases

Idioms for measure

Origin of measure

OTHER WORDS FROM measure

Words nearby measure

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for take someone's measure

noun

verb

Derived forms of measure

Word Origin for measure

Medical definitions for take someone's measure

n.

v.

Idioms and Phrases with take someone's measure (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with take someone's measure (2 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for take someone's measure