ˈmeʒə n. & v. --n. 1 a size or
quantity found by measuring. 2 a
system of measuring (liquid measure;
linear measure). 3 a
rod or
tape etc.
for measuring. 4 a
vessel of
standard capacity for transferring or determining fixed quantities of liquids etc. (a
pint measure). 5 a
the degree,
extent, or
amount of a
thing. b (foll. by of)
some degree of (there
was a measure of wit in
her remark). 6 a
unit of capacity, e.g. a
bushel (20 measures of wheat). 7 a
factor by
which a
person or thing is reckoned or evaluated (their
success is a measure of
their determination). 8 (usu. in pl.)
suitable action to
achieve some
end (took measures to
ensure a
good profit). 9 a
legislative enactment. 10 a quantity contained in
another an
exact number of times. 11 a prescribed extent or quantity. 12
Printing the
width of a page or
column of
type. 13 a poetical
rhythm; metre. b a
metrical group of a
dactyl or
two iambuses, trochees, spondees, etc. 14 US Mus. a bar or the time-content of a bar. 15
archaic a
dance. 16 a
mineral stratum (coal measures). --v. 1 tr.
ascertain the extent or quantity of (a thing) by
comparison with a fixed unit or with an
object of
known size. 2 intr. be of a specified size (it measures
six inches). 3 tr. ascertain the size
and proportion of (a person) for
clothes. 4 tr.
estimate (a
quality, person's
character, etc.) by some standard or
rule. 5 tr. (often foll. by off) mark (a line etc. of a
given length). 6 tr. (foll. by out) deal or
distribute (a thing) in
measured quantities. 7 tr. (foll. by with, against)
bring (oneself or one's
strength etc.)
into competition with. 8 tr.
poet.
traverse (a distance). øbeyond measure excessively. for good measure as
something beyond the
minimum; as a finishing
touch. in a (or some) measure
partly.
made to measure
Brit. (of clothes) made
from measurements taken. measure up 1 a
determine the size etc. of by
measurement. b
take comprehensive measurements. 2 (often foll. by to)
have the
necessary qualifications (for). measuring-jug (or -cup) a
jug or
cup marked to measure
its contents. measuring-tape a tape marked to measure
length. measuring-worm the
caterpillar of the
geometer moth. [ME f. OF mesure f. L mensura f. metiri mensmeasure]