measure

¹mea·sure

noun \ˈme-zhər, ˈmā-\

Definition of MEASURE

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

Examples of MEASURE

1. She felt equal measures of hope and fear.
2. Their actions were motivated in large measure by a desire for revenge.
3. An occasion like this calls for some measure of decorum.
4. The meter is a measure of length.
5. The dictionary includes a table of weights and measures.
6. The legislature has passed a measure aimed at protecting consumers.
7. The governor has proposed a number of cost-cutting measures.
8. They were forced to resort to desperate measures.
9. We need to take measures to protect ourselves.

Origin of MEASURE

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

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to MEASURE

Synonyms: expedient, means, move, shift, step

Related Words: act, action, deed, doing, feat, thing; course, procedure, proceeding, process; accomplishment, achievement, attainment, coup, exploit, success, triumph; activity, affair, business, dealing, enterprise, event; attempt, crack, endeavor, essay, fling, go, initiative, operation, pass, shot, stab, trial, try, undertaking, whack; effort, exertion, labor, pains, trouble, while, work; project, proposal, proposition; makeshift, resort, resource, stopgap; countermeasure, countermove, counterstep

Near Antonyms: aberration, abnormality, deviation

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

Rhymes with MEASURE

leisure, pleasure, treasure