measure

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmɛʒə/

verb

[with object]
  • 1ascertain the size, amount, or degree of (something) by using an instrument or device marked in standard units: the amount of water collected is measured in pints (as adjective measuring) measuring instruments
  • be of (a specified size or degree): the fabric measures 137 cm wide
  • ascertain the size and proportions of (someone) in order to make or provide clothes for them: he will be measured for his team blazer next week
  • (measure something out) take an exact quantity of something: she helped to measure out the ingredients
  • 2assess the importance, effect, or value of (something): it is hard to measure teaching ability
  • (measure someone/thing against) judge someone or something by comparison with (a certain standard): she did not need to measure herself against some ideal
  • [no object] (measure up) reach the required or expected standard: I’m afraid we didn’t measure up to the standards they set
  • (measure someone up) scrutinize someone in order to form an assessment of them: the two shook hands and silently measured each other up
  • 3 archaic travel over (a certain distance or area): we must measure twenty miles today

noun

  • 1a plan or course of action taken to achieve a particular purpose: cost-cutting measures children were evacuated as a precautionary measure
  • a legislative bill: the Senate passed the measure by a 48-30 vote
  • 2a standard unit used to express the size, amount, or degree of something: a furlong is an obsolete measure of length tables of weights and measures
  • [mass noun] a system or scale of units expressing size, amount, or degree of something: the dimensions were in imperial measure
  • a standard quantity or amount: heavy drinking may be five measures of spirits per day
  • a container of standard capacity used for taking fixed amounts of a substance: gifts have included silver measures from a whisky company
  • a graduated rod or tape used for ascertaining the size of something: most schools had only metric measures available
  • 3a certain quantity or degree of something: the states retain a large measure of independence
  • an indication of the degree, extent, or quality of something: his resignation is a measure of how angry he is
  • 4the rhythm of a piece of poetry or a piece of music.
  • a particular metrical unit or group: measures of two or three syllables are more frequent in English prose
  • North American a bar of music or the time of a piece of music.
  • archaic a dance, typically one that is stately: now tread we a measure!
  • 5 (measures) [with modifier] a group of rock strata.
  • 6 Mathematics a quantity contained in another an exact number of times; a divisor.
  • 7 Printing the width of a full line of type or print, typically expressed in picas.

Phrases

beyond measure

to a very great extent: she felt weary beyond measure

for good measure

in addition to what has already been done or said: he added a couple of chillies for good measure

get (or take or have) the measure of

assess or have assessed the character or abilities of (someone or something): he’s got her measure—she won’t fool him

hard measure

archaic punishment or retribution inflicted on someone.

in —— measure

to the degree specified: his style was rough and elegant in equal measure

measure one's length

dated (of a person) fall flat on the ground: he uttered a groan and measured his length in the dust

measure one's words

consider carefully what one says: I had better measure my words so as not to embarrass anyone

measure of capacity

a standard unit of volume used for containers, liquids, and substances such as grain.

take measures

take action to achieve a particular purpose: they took measures to improve performance

Derivatives

measurer

noun

Origin:

Middle English (as a noun in the senses 'moderation', 'instrument for measuring', 'unit of capacity'): from Old French mesure, from Latin mensura, from mens- 'measured', from the verb metiri