Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A reference standard or sample used for the quantitative comparison of properties.
  • noun A unit specified by a scale, such as an inch, or by variable conditions, such as a day's march.
  • noun A system of measurement, such as the metric system.
  • noun The dimensions, quantity, or capacity of something as ascertained by comparison with a standard.
  • noun A device used for measuring.
  • noun The act of measuring.
  • noun An evaluation or a basis of comparison.
  • noun Extent or degree.
  • noun A definite quantity that has been measured out.
  • noun A fitting amount.
  • noun A limited amount or degree.
  • noun Limit; bounds.
  • noun Appropriate restraint; moderation.
  • noun An action taken as a means to an end; an expedient.
  • noun A law or ballot initiative adopted by a legislature as a remedy for a problem.
  • noun Poetic meter.
  • noun Music The metric unit between two bars on the staff; a bar.
  • intransitive verb To ascertain the dimensions, quantity, or capacity of.
  • intransitive verb To mark, lay out, or establish dimensions for by measuring.
  • intransitive verb To mark off or apportion, usually with reference to a given unit of measurement.
  • intransitive verb To allot or distribute as if by measuring; mete.
  • intransitive verb To estimate by evaluation or comparison.
  • intransitive verb To bring into comparison.
  • intransitive verb To serve as a measure of.
  • intransitive verb To consider or choose with care; weigh.
  • intransitive verb Archaic To travel over.
  • intransitive verb To be of a specific measurement.
  • intransitive verb To take a measurement.
  • intransitive verb To allow of measurement.
  • idiom (beyond measure) In excess.
  • idiom (beyond measure) Without limit.
  • idiom (for good measure) In addition to the required amount.
  • idiom (a/some) To a degree.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Specifically, in organ-building, the proportion of the diameter of fluepipes, or of a stop of such pipes, to their length: as, a diapason pipe is made on a wider or larger measure than a gamba pipe.
  • To ascertain the length, extent, dimensions, quantity, or capacity of by comparison with a standard; ascertain or determine a quantity by exact observation.
  • To serve as the measure of; be adequate to express the size of: often used figuratively.
  • To estimate or determine the relative extent, greatness, or value of; appraise by comparison with something else: with by before the standard of comparison.
  • To bring into comparison or competition; oppose or set against as equal or as a test of equality: with with.
  • To pass over or through.
  • To adjust; proportion; suit; accommodate.
  • To control; regulate.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Middle English, from Old French mesure, from Latin mēnsūra, from mēnsus, past participle of mētīrī, to measure; see mē- in Indo-European roots.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Middle English mesure, from French mesure, from Latin mēnsūra ("a measuring, rule, something to measure by"), from mēnsus, past participle of mētīrī ("to measure, mete"). Displaced native Middle English mǣte, mete ("measure") (n.) (from Old English met ("measure"), compare Old English mitta ("a measure")), Middle English ameten, imeten ("to measure") (from Old English āmetan, ġemetan "to mete, measure), Middle English hof, hoof ("measure, reason") (from Old Norse hōf ("measure, reason")), Old English mǣþ ("measure, degree").

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Examples

  • It is interesting to find that when "measured music" was finally inaugurated there were at first but two measure-signatures, viz. -- the circle, standing for three-beat measure (the so-called _perfect measure_) and the semi-circle (or broken circle) which indicated two-beat measure.

    Music Notation and Terminology Karl Wilson Gehrkens 1928

  • Because I had so earnestly advocated Emancipation as a war measure at a time when even the most fiery and advanced Abolition papers, such as the _Tribune_, were holding back and shouting _pas trop de zele_ -- and as it proved wisely, by advocating it publicly -- _merely as a war measure_ -- the President, at the request of George H. Boker, actually signed for me fifty duplicate very handsome copies of the Proclamation of

    Memoirs Charles Godfrey Leland 1863

  • IV. vii.3 (461,1) every measure fail me] All good which I shall allot thee, or _measure out_ to thee, will be scanty.

    Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III: The Tragedies Samuel Johnson 1746

  • If the measure is approved, the City Council would be prohibited in the future from altering the term-limits law in any way that affects incumbents.

    Poll Shows Wide Term-Limit Support Michael Howard Saul 2010

  • "Though this is only a short term measure, and maybe a bit overdoing it, I just don't trust the uncertainty," Mr. Rubin says.

    For Investors, Cash Is King Liz Rappaport 2011

  • He says that the short-term measure is necessary because of unfair coverage of his government.

    Flashback: Honduras, May 2007 « Antiwar.com Blog 2009

  • Ricketts disagreed with the suggestion that the measure is an attempt to purge moderate voices from the GOP.

    RNC resolution won't 'handcuff' Steele, co-sponsor says 2009

  • He says that the short-term measure is necessary because of unfair coverage of his government.

    July « 2009 « Antiwar.com Blog 2009

  • Ricketts disagreed with the suggestion that the measure is an attempt to purge moderate voices from the GOP.

    RNC resolution won't 'handcuff' Steele, co-sponsor says 2009

  • "Ricketts disagreed with the suggestion that the measure is an attempt to purge moderate voices from the GOP."

    RNC resolution won't 'handcuff' Steele, co-sponsor says 2009

  • As we refine our methods of responsive web design, we’ve increasingly focused on measure (another word for “line length”) and its relationship to how people read.

    Size Matters: Balancing Line Length And Font Size In Responsive Web Design – Smashing Magazine Laura Franz 2014

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