Define the word measure

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Middle English mesure, from Old French mesure, from Latin mēnsūra (“a measure”), from mēnsus, past participle of mētīrī (“to measure”). Displaced native Old English metan (“to measure”) and ġemet (“a measure”).

Pronunciation[edit]

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈmɛʒ.ə/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈmɛʒ.ɚ/
• (regional US) IPA^(key): /ˈmeɪ.ʒɚ/, /ˈmɪ.ʒɚ/
• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /ˈmeʒ.ə/
• (New Zealand) IPA^(key): /ˈmeɪ.ʒə/
• Rhymes: -ɛʒə(ɹ)
• Hyphenation: meas‧ure;

mea‧sure

Noun[edit]

measure (plural measures)

1. A prescribed quantity or extent.
   1. (obsolete) Moderation, temperance. [13th–19th c.]
   2. A limit that cannot be exceeded; a bound. (Now chiefly in set phrases.) [from 14th c.]

      • 1667, John Milton, “Book V”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:

        Full to the utmost measure of what bliss Human desires can seek or apprehend.

      • 2005, J Coarguo, Hávamál: The Words of the High One a Personal Interpretation:

        but there is never found a foolish man who knows the measure of his stomach

      • 25 August 2009, Mike Selvey, The Guardian:

        They have gloried to this day, the tedious interminable big-screen replays of that golden summer irritating beyond measure.

   3. An (unspecified) portion or quantity. [from 16th c.]

      • 6 September 2013, Daniel Taylor, “Danny Welbeck leads England’s rout of Moldova but hit by Ukraine ban”, in The Guardian‎^[1]:

        It ended up being a bittersweet night for England, full of goals to send the crowd home happy, buoyed by the news that Montenegro and Poland had drawn elsewhere in Group H but also with a measure of regret about what happened to Danny Welbeck and what it means for Roy Hodgson’s team going into a much more difficult assignment against Ukraine.

2. The act or result of measuring.
   1. (now chiefly cooking) A receptacle or vessel of a standard size, capacity etc. as used to deal out specific quantities of some substance. [from 14th c.]

      a measure of salt

   2. A standard against which something can be judged; a criterion. [from 14th c.]

      • 2011 October 23, Phil McNulty, “Man Utd 1-6 Man City”, in BBC Sport:

        City were also the victors on that occasion 56 years ago, winning 5-0, but this visit was portrayed as a measure of their progress against the 19-time champions.

      Honesty is the true measure of a man.

   3. Any of various standard units of capacity. [from 14th c.]

      The villagers paid a tithe of a thousand measures of corn.

   4. A unit of measurement. [from 14th c.]
      • 1993, Scientific American February 33.3:

        The fragments shrank by increments of about three kilodaltons (a measure of molecular weight).

   5. The size of someone or something, as ascertained by measuring. (Now chiefly in make to measure.) [from 14th c.]

      • The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

   6. (now rare) The act or process of measuring. [from 14th c.]
   7. A ruler, measuring stick, or graduated tape used to take measurements. [from 16th c.]
   8. (mathematics, now rare) A number which is contained in a given number a number of times without a remainder; a divisor or factor. [from 16th c.]

      the greatest common measure of two or more numbers

   9. (geology) A bed or stratum. [from 17th c.]

      coal measures; lead measures

   10. (mathematics) A function that assigns a non-negative number to a given set following the mathematical nature that is common among length, volume, probability and the like. [from 20th c.]
3. Metrical rhythm.
   1. (now archaic) A melody. [from 14th c.]
   2. (now archaic) A dance. [from 15th c.]

      • 1808 February 22, Walter Scott, “Canto Fifth. The Court.”, in Marmion; a Tale of Flodden Field, Edinburgh: […] J[ames] Ballantyne and Co. for Archibald Constable and Company, […]; London: William Miller, and John Murray, →OCLC, stanza XII (Lochinvar. Lady Heron’s Song.), page 259:

        He took her soft hand, ere her mother could bar,— / «Now tread we a measure!» said young Lochinvar.

      • 1922, Michael Arlen, “2/2/2”, in “Piracy”: A Romantic Chronicle of These Days‎^[2]:

        They danced on silently, softly. Their feet played tricks to the beat of the tireless measure, that exquisitely asinine blare which is England’s punishment for having lost America.

   3. (poetry) The manner of ordering and combining the quantities, or long and short syllables; meter; rhythm; hence, a metrical foot. [from 15th c.]

      a poem in iambic measure

   4. (music) A musical designation consisting of all notes and or rests delineated by two vertical bars; an equal and regular division of the whole of a composition; a bar. [from 17th c.]
4. A course of action.
   1. (in the plural) Actions designed to achieve some purpose; plans. [from 17th c.]
   2. A piece of legislation. [from 18th c.]

      • 2013 June 8, “Obama goes troll-hunting”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8839, page 55:

        The solitary, lumbering trolls of Scandinavian mythology would sometimes be turned to stone by exposure to sunlight. Barack Obama is hoping that several measures announced on June 4th will have a similarly paralysing effect on their modern incarnation, the patent troll.

Synonyms[edit]

• (musical designation): bar
• (unit of measurement): metric

Hyponyms[edit]

• (mathematics): positive measure, signed measure, complex measure, Borel measure, σ-finite measure, complete measure, Lebesgue measure

Derived terms[edit]

Descendants[edit]

• → Japanese: メジャー (mejā)

Translations[edit]

Verb[edit]

measure (third-person singular simple present measures, present participle measuring, simple past and past participle measured)

1. To ascertain the quantity of a unit of material via calculated comparison with respect to a standard.

   • 2013 June 1, “Towards the end of poverty”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8838, page 11:

     But poverty’s scourge is fiercest below $1.25 (the average of the 15 poorest countries’ own poverty lines, measured in 2005 dollars and adjusted for differences in purchasing power): people below that level live lives that are poor, nasty, brutish and short.

   We measured the temperature with a thermometer.   You should measure the angle with a spirit level.

2. (stative) To be of (a certain size), to have (a certain measurement)

   The window measured two square feet.

3. To estimate the unit size of something.

   I measure that at 10 centimetres.

4. To judge, value, or appraise.

   • c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], part 1, 2nd edition, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act I, scene ii:

     ſince they meaſure our deſerts so meane,
     That in conceit beare Empires on our ſpeares,
     Affecting thoughts coequall with the cloudes,
     They ſhalbe kept our forced followers,
     Til with their eies they view vs Emperours.

   • 1667, John Milton, “Book VII”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:

     Great are thy works, Jehovah, infinite / Thy power! what thought can measure thee?

5. To obtain or set apart; to mark in even increments.
6. (rare) To traverse, cross, pass along; to travel over.

   • c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene vii]:

     A true devoted pilgrim is not weary / To measure kingdoms with his feeble steps.

   • 1859, Ferna Vale, Natalie; or, A Gem Among the Sea-Weeds

     «And for a very sensible reason; there never was but one like her; or, that is, I have always thought so until to-day,» replied the tar, glancing toward Natalie; «for my old eyes have seen pretty much everything they have got in this little world. Ha! I should like to see the inch of land or water that my foot hasn’t measured.»

7. To adjust by a rule or standard.

   • 1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Francis Ashe […], →OCLC:

     To secure a contented spirit, you must measure your desires by your fortune and condition, not your fortunes by your desires

8. 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.

   • 1711 September 12 (Gregorian calendar)​, Joseph Addison; Richard Steele [et al.], “SATURDAY, September 1, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 159; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume II, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC:

     That portion of eternity which is called time, measured out by the sun.

Derived terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• “measure”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
• measure in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• “measure”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
• measure at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams[edit]

• Reaumes

мера, мерило, размер, степень, такт, измерять, оценивать, мерить, мериться

существительное ↓

глагол ↓

Словосочетания

using a ruler to measure a piece of paper — использование линейки для измерения листа бумаги  
an instrument for measuring air pressure — прибор для измерения давления воздуха  
mental abilities measured by IQ testing — умственные способности, измеренные с помощью тестирования IQ  
to the last measure of human endurance — до крайней степени человеческой выносливости  
measure of concordance — мера соответствия  
to measure the depth of a shelf — измерить глубину полки  
disjoint measure classes — дизъюнктные классы  
to measure out a dose — отмерять дозу  
to measure the girth of smth. — измерять размер чего-л.  
preventive measure — предупредительная мера  
quantity under measure — измеряемая величина  
to measure rainfall — измерять количество осадков  

Примеры с переводом

Фразовые глаголы

measure off — отмерять, отсчитывать, размерять
measure out — отмерять, распределять, выдавать по мерке
measure up — соответствовать, достигать, отвечать

Возможные однокоренные слова

measurable  — измеримый, умеренный
measured  — измеренный, размеренный, взвешенный, сдержанный, обдуманный, неторопливый
measureless  — безмерный, неизмеримый, безграничный
measurement  — измерение, обмер, система мер
measurer  — измеритель, измерительный прибор
overmeasure  — припуск, придача, излишек
measuring  — измерение, обмер, дозировка
mismeasure  — неправильно измерить, неправильно измерять

Формы слова

verb
I/you/we/they: measure
he/she/it: measures
ing ф. (present participle): measuring
2-я ф. (past tense): measured
3-я ф. (past participle): measured

noun
ед. ч.(singular): measure
мн. ч.(plural): measures

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. ❋ 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 ❋ 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. ❋ 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. ❋ 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. ❋ Liz Rappaport (2011)

He says that the short-term measure is necessary because of unfair coverage of his government. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Ricketts disagreed with the suggestion that the measure is an attempt to purge moderate voices from the GOP. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Given its strong support in both parties, approval of the measure is a lock. ❋ Unknown (2009)

In fact, the measure is already confounding Eyman. ❋ Unknown (2010)

«Ricketts disagreed with the suggestion that the measure is an attempt to purge moderate voices from the GOP.» ❋ Unknown (2009)

But what I really despise about this measure is the underlying implication: that the sidewalks, streets, and public spaces of Seattle essentially belong to the «haves» who should never be confronted with the awful sight of the «have-nots.» ❋ Unknown (2010)

McCain’s opposition to the measure is already a hot-button issue on the campaign trail. ❋ Unknown (2008)

The only mainstream party to speak out against this measure is the LibDems, and they will have my vote. ❋ Unknown (2008)

Today, anti-exploitation activist Kristie Miller argues that the measure is a step backwards. ❋ Unknown (2008)

With a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 points — the measure is at a […] ❋ Unknown (2008)

With a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 points — the measure is at a virtual […] ❋ Unknown (2008)

If you want to know how everything that exists works you must first [know yourself] as completely as you can. The more you know yourself and how you work the more you can know anything and everything else.
Measuring Units In Folklore And History:
In the biblical story of Noah, [the ark] was supposed to be 300 cubits long and 30 cubits high. Like all early units of size, the [cubit] was based on the always-handy human body, and was most likely the length of a man’s forearm from elbow to [fingertip]. You could measure a board, for example, by laying your forearm down successively along its length. In the Middle Ages, the inch is reputed to have been the length of a medieval king’s first thumb joint. The yard was once defined as the distance between the nose of England’s [King Henry] I and the tip of his outstretched middle finger. The origin of the foot as a unit of measurement is obvious. ❋ Grue_Feathermoon (2021)

Man his [penis] is [so small] I couldn’t [find it] in the mircoscope, making it non-measurable ❋ CarI Johnson (2019)

* Be as [specific] as possible and [make sure] each [step] is measurable .
* a measurable improvement ❋ Shahdiss (2015)

If you wanted to measure [the Irish guy’s] [dick size], he’d [come up short] every time, and he’d know he was always an asshole with a short dick no matter how many different times or ways you tried to tell him that, but if you wanted to measure what he was made of, that was different. ❋ Solid Mantis (2020)

My boss asked me to define «measurement», I [said it’s] the assignment of a number to a characteristic of an object or event, which can be compared with other objects or events. He said, no! It’s all about [tying] claims to evidence of [execution]. WTF??? ❋ Wizardouche (2020)

Person A: «Hey check out this cool site»
Person B: «Ok……god damn it you bast-HEY EVERYBODY [I’M LOOKING] AT [GAY PORNO]»
Person A: «Lol, you got [last measure‘d]» ❋ Theymos (2008)

Subversive Measures, can be compared with the overt and covert methods utilised during the former [Soviet Union] in relation with implementing Censorship, a process which had been used in both political and social capacities and had been [contrived] by [Leon Trotsky] ( Preventative Censorship) and was enforced by the Glavlit agency. ❋ Baron Neville (2015)

I just saw Twisted Measure leave [Cantina] WASTED to go sing for President [Lambert]. Damn, those kids are [ballers]! ❋ Pizzle Your Nizzle (2009)

[Whisky] and [coke], make it a [geraghty measure]. ❋ DGRMY (2010)

Trick: Hey dude
Guy B: hi
Trick: Wanna visit my cool site? It’s awesome
Guy B: Yes!
Trick: OK, link:
Trick: ILoveNY.on.[nimp].org
Guy B: What is it
Trick: A blog about my life
Trick: I live at NYC
Guy B: OK, sounds cool. Checking it
*HEY EVERYBODY IM LOOKING AT GAY PORNO JEWS.[WMV] AAAAAAAAA*
Trick: u there?
Guy B: YOU FUCKING BASTARD YOU GAVE ME A VIRUS HAPPY NOW FUCKING IDIOT?
Trick: HAHA you went to it! You got [Last Measure’d]! ❋ TNTX32 (2009)