Main Entry: ¹mea·sure

Pronunciation: \ˈme-zhər, ˈmā-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English mesure, from Anglo-French, from Latin mensura, from mensus, past participle of metiri to measure; akin to Old English mǣth measure, Greek metron

Date: 13th century

1 a (1) : an adequate or due portion (2) : a moderate degree; also : moderation, temperance (3) : a fixed or suitable limit : bounds <rich beyond measure> b : the dimensions, capacity, or amount of something ascertained by measuring c : an estimate of what is to be expected (as of a person or situation) d (1) : a measured quantity (2) : amount, degree
2 a : an instrument or utensil for measuring b (1) : a standard or unit of measurement — see weight table (2) : a system of standard units of measure <metric measure>
3 : the act or process of measuring
4 a (1) : melody, tune (2) : dance; especially : a slow and stately dance b : rhythmic structure or movement : cadence: as (1) : poetic rhythm measured by temporal quantity or accent; specifically : meter (2) : musical time c (1) : a grouping of a specified number of musical beats located between two consecutive vertical lines on a staff (2) : a metrical unit : foot
5 : an exact divisor of a number
6 : a basis or standard of comparison <wealth is not a measure of happiness>
7 : a step planned or taken as a means to an end; specifically : a proposed legislative act

— for good measure : in addition to the minimum required : as an extra