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 A unit or standard adopted to determine the linear dimensions, volume, or other quantity of other objects, by the comparison of them with it; a standard for the determination of a unit of reckoning.
- noun Hence, any standard of comparison, estimation, or judgment.
- noun A system of measurement; a scheme of denominations or units of length, surface, volume, or the like: as, weights and measures; long measure, square measure, etc.
- noun The dimensions or extent of a thing as determined or determinable by comparison with a unit, or standard; size; extent; capacity (literal or figurative); volume; duration; quantity in general.
- noun An act of measurement, or comparison with a standard of quantity, or a series of such acts: as, to make clothes to measure.
- noun A definite quantity measured off or meted out: as, a measure of wine or meal.
- noun Used absolutely, a full or sufficient quantity.
- noun Quantity, amount, extent, or any dimension, as measured or meted out; the result of any mensural determination or rule: as, the measure of or for the beams is 10 feet 4 inches; full or short measure.
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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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
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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
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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
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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
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"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
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He says that the short-term measure is necessary because of unfair coverage of his government.
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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
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He says that the short-term measure is necessary because of unfair coverage of his government.
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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
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"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
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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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