measure

measure
{{11}}measure (n.) c.1200, "moderation, temperance, abstemiousness;" c.1300, "instrument for measuring," from O.Fr. mesure "limit, boundary; quantity, dimension; occasion, time" (12c.), from L. mensura "measure" (see MEASURE (Cf. measure) (v.)). Meaning "size or quantity as ascertained by measuring" is from early 14c. Meaning "action of measuring; standard measure of quantity; system of measuring; appointed or alloted amount of anything" is late 14c. Also from late 14c. are senses "proper proportion, balance." Sense of "that to which something is compared to determine its quantity" is from 1570s. Meaning "rhythmic pattern in music" is late 14c.; from mid-15c. in poetry, c.1500 in dance. Meaning "treatment 'meted out' to someone" is from 1590s; that of "plan or course of action intended to obtain some goal" is from 1690s; sense of "legislative enactment" is from 1759. Phrase for good measure (late 14c.) is lit. "ample in quantity, in goods sold by measure."
{{12}}measure (v.) c.1300, "to deal out by measure," from O.Fr. mesurer "measure; moderate, curb" (12c.), from L.L. mensurare "to measure," from L. mensura "a measuring, a measurement; thing to measure by," from mensus, pp. of metiri "to measure," from PIE *me- "to measure" (see METER (Cf. meter) (n.2)).
Replaced Old English cognate mæð "measure." Meaning "to ascertain spatial dimensions of" is mid-14c. To measure up "have the necessary abilities" is 1910, American English. Related: MEASURED (Cf. Measured); measuring.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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Synonyms:
(of measurement), / , , , , , , , / , , , / , , , , , / , , / , / , / , /


Look at other dictionaries:

  • measure — meas ure (m[e^]zh [ u]r; 135), n. [OE. mesure, F. mesure, L. mensura, fr. metiri, mensus, to measure; akin to metrum poetical measure, Gr. me tron, E. meter. Cf. {Immense}, {Mensuration}, {Mete} to measure.] 1. A standard of dimension; a fixed… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • measure — [mezh′ər] n. [ME mesure < OFr < L mensura < mensus, pp. of metiri, to measure < IE base * mē , to measure > MEAL1, Sans mātrā, a measure, Gr metron] 1. the extent, dimensions, capacity, etc. of anything, esp. as determined by a… …   English World dictionary

  • Measure K — is an ordinance put on the city of Santa Cruz s annual ballot on November 6, 2006. It s purpose was to give marijuana violations the lowest priority for local law enforcement. All other offenses besides adult marijuana offenses were put to a… …   Wikipedia

  • Measure — Meas ure, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Measured}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Measuring}.] [F. mesurer, L. mensurare. See {Measure}, n.] 1. To ascertain by use of a measuring instrument; to compute or ascertain the extent, quantity, dimensions, or capacity of, by a …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • measure — ► VERB 1) determine the size, amount, or degree of (something) by comparison with a standard unit. 2) be of (a specified size). 3) (measure out) take an exact quantity of. 4) (measure up) reach the required or expected standard. ► NOUN 1) …   English terms dictionary

  • measure — I noun act, bill, caveat, declaration, decree, dictate, edict, enactment, law, legislation, legislative enactment, legislative mandate, legislative proclamation, mandate, piece of legislation, prescript, prescription, proposal, proposed act,… …   Law dictionary

  • measure — [n1] portion, scope admeasurement, admensuration, allotment, allowance, amount, amplification, amplitude, area, bang, breadth, bulk, capacity, degree, depth, dimension, distance, duration, extent, fix, frequency, height, hit, magnitude, mass,… …   New thesaurus

  • measure up to — measure up (to (someone/something)) to reach a standard that is as good as someone or something else. The math skills of the majority of children in this school measure up to the national standards. Usage notes: often used in a negative way: They …   New idioms dictionary

  • measure up — (to (someone/something)) to reach a standard that is as good as someone or something else. The math skills of the majority of children in this school measure up to the national standards. Usage notes: often used in a negative way: They didn t… …   New idioms dictionary

  • Measure — Meas ure, v. i. 1. To make a measurement or measurements. [1913 Webster] 2. To result, or turn out, on measuring; as, the grain measures well; the pieces measure unequally. [1913 Webster] 3. To be of a certain size or quantity, or to have a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • measure of — To be the (or a) standard by which to judge the quality, etc of ● measure …   Useful english dictionary

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