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Measure   /mˈɛʒər/   Listen
noun
measure  n.  
1.
A standard of dimension; a fixed unit of quantity or extent; an extent or quantity in the fractions or multiples of which anything is estimated and stated; hence, a rule by which anything is adjusted or judged.
2.
An instrument by means of which size or quantity is measured, as a graduated line, rod, vessel, or the like. "False ells and measures be brought all clean adown."
3.
The dimensions or capacity of anything, reckoned according to some standard; size or extent, determined and stated; estimated extent; as, to take one's measure for a coat. "The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea."
4.
The contents of a vessel by which quantity is measured; a quantity determined by a standard; a stated or limited quantity or amount. "It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal."
5.
Extent or degree not excessive or beyong bounds; moderation; due restraint; esp. in the phrases, in measure; with measure; without or beyond measure. "Hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure."
6.
Determined extent, not to be exceeded; limit; allotted share, as of action, influence, ability, or the like; due proportion. "Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days."
7.
The quantity determined by measuring, especially in buying and selling; as, to give good or full measure.
8.
Undefined quantity; extent; degree. "There is a great measure of discretion to be used in the performance of confession."
9.
Regulated division of movement:
(a)
(Dancing) A regulated movement corresponding to the time in which the accompanying music is performed; but, especially, a slow and stately dance, like the minuet.
(b)
(Mus.) (1) The group or grouping of beats, caused by the regular recurrence of accented beats. (2) The space between two bars. See Beat, Triple, Quadruple, Sextuple, Compound time, under Compound, a., and Figure.
(c)
(Poetry) The manner of ordering and combining the quantities, or long and short syllables; meter; rhythm; hence, a foot; as, a poem in iambic measure.
10.
(Arith.) A number which is contained in a given number a number of times without a remainder; as in the phrases, the common measure, the greatest common measure, etc., of two or more numbers; a denominator. See common denominator under denominator.
11.
A step or definite part of a progressive course or policy; a means to an end; an act designed for the accomplishment of an object; as, political measures; prudent measures; an inefficient measure. "His majesty found what wrong measures he had taken in the conferring that trust, and lamented his error."
12.
The act of measuring; measurement.
13.
pl. (Geol.) Beds or strata; as, coal measures; lead measures.
linear measure, lineal measure, or long measure, measure of length; the measure of lines or distances.
Liquid measure, the measure of liquids.
Square measure, the measure of superficial area of surfaces in square units, as inches, feet, miles, etc.
To have hard measure, to have harsh treatment meted out to one; to be harshly or oppressively dealt with.
To take measures, to make preparations; to provide means.
To take one's measure, to measure one, as for a garment; hence, to form an opinion of one's disposition, character, ability, etc.
To tread a measure, to dance in the style so called. See 9 (a). "Say to her, we have measured many miles To tread a measure with her on this grass."


verb
Measure  v. t.  (past & past part. measured; pres. part. measuring)  
1.
To ascertain by use of a measuring instrument; to compute or ascertain the extent, quantity, dimensions, or capacity of, by a certain rule or standard; to take the dimensions of; hence, to estimate; to judge of; to value; to appraise. "Great are thy works, Jehovah, infinite Thy power! what thought can measure thee?"
2.
To serve as the measure of; as, the thermometer measures changes of temperature.
3.
To pass throught or over in journeying, as if laying off and determining the distance. "A true devoted pilgrim is not weary To measure kingdoms with his feeble steps."
4.
To adjust by a rule or standard. "To secure a contented spirit, measure your desires by your fortunes, not your fortunes by your desires."
5.
To allot or distribute by measure; to set off or apart by measure; often with out or off. "With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." "That portion of eternity which is called time, measured out by the sun."
To measure swords with one, to try another's skill in the use of the sword; hence, figuratively, to match one's abilities against an antagonist's.


Measure  v. i.  
1.
To make a measurement or measurements.
2.
To result, or turn out, on measuring; as, the grain measures well; the pieces measure unequally.
3.
To be of a certain size or quantity, or to have a certain length, breadth, or thickness, or a certain capacity according to a standard measure; as, cloth measures three fourths of a yard; a tree measures three feet in diameter.





Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48


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"Measure" Quotes from Famous Books



... in these operations was agreeable to the governor and council; they took me into confidence, and I was consulted by them in every measure wherein their concurrence was thought useful to the association. Calling in the aid of religion, I propos'd to them the proclaiming a fast, to promote reformation, and implore the blessing of Heaven ...
— Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin • Benjamin Franklin
... art of the Statesman and the aforesaid art of weaving disappear? For all these arts are on the watch against excess and defect, not as unrealities, but as real evils, which occasion a difficulty in action; and the excellence or beauty of every work of art is due to this observance of measure. ...
— Statesman • Plato
... traits are present in some degree in the population. Modern competition is in large part a process of self-assertion on the basis of these traits of predatory human nature. In the sophisticated form in which they enter into the modern, peaceable emulation, the possession of these traits in some measure is almost a necessary of life to the civilized man. But while they are indispensable to the competitive individual, they are not directly serviceable to the community. So far as regards the serviceability of the individual for the purposes of the collective life, emulative efficiency ...
— The Theory of the Leisure Class • Thorstein Veblen
... your hearts to him; and grieve not, by any selfishness, passion, or hardness of your own, his gracious instructions: but let him teach you, and guide you, and purge you, and sanctify you, till you come to the stature of a perfect man, to the fulness of the measure of Christ, who could perfectly hate the sin, and yet perfectly love the sinner; who could see in every man, even in his enemies and murderers, a ...
— Discipline and Other Sermons • Charles Kingsley
... at Marocco; the dung-hills and ruins are in some places as high as the houses. The Muhamedan doctrine does not allow the Moors to neglect personal cleanliness, which, among these people, is a cardinal virtue; and this, I presume, is the cause of their being, in a great measure, exempt from ophthalmia, whereas the Jews, on the contrary, are generally affected ...
— An Account of Timbuctoo and Housa Territories in the Interior of Africa • Abd Salam Shabeeny


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