meter

¹me·ter

noun \ˈmē-tər\

Definition of METER

1

a : systematically arranged and measured rhythm in verse: (1) : rhythm that continuously repeats a single basic pattern <iambic meter> (2) : rhythm characterized by regular recurrence of a systematic arrangement of basic patterns in larger figures <ballad meter>

b : a measure or unit of metrical verse —usually used in combination <pentameter> — compare foot 4

c : a fixed metrical pattern : verse form

2

: the basic recurrent rhythmical pattern of note values, accents, and beats per measure in music

Origin of METER

Middle English, from Old English & Anglo-French; Old English mēter, from Latin metrum, from Greek metron measure, meter; Anglo-French metre, from Latin metrum — more at measure

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

Rhymes with METER

beater, bleater, cheater, eater, fetor, greeter, heater, liter, meeter, peter, pleater, praetor, rhetor, seater, sheeter, skeeter, teeter, treater, tweeter

²met·er

noun \ˈmē-tər\

Definition of METER

: one that measures; especially : an official measurer of commodities

Origin of METER

Middle English, from meten to mete

First Known Use: 14th century

³me·ter

noun

Definition of METER

: the base unit of length in the International System of Units that is equal to the distance traveled by light in a vacuum in ¹⁄_299,792,458 second or to about 39.37 inches — see metric system table

Origin of METER

French mètre, from Greek metron measure

First Known Use: 1797

Other Weights and Measures Terms

avoirdupois weight, calorie, denier, kip, pace, twain

Rhymes with METER

bleater, cheater, eater, greeter, meeter, peter, pleater, sheeter, teeter, treater

⁴me·ter

noun

Definition of METER

1

: an instrument for measuring and sometimes recording the time or amount of something <a parking meter> <a gas meter>

2

: postage meter; also : a marking printed by a postage meter

Origin of METER

-meter

First Known Use: 1815

⁵me·ter

transitive verb

Definition of METER

1

: to measure by means of a meter

2

: to supply in a measured or regulated amount

3

: to print postal indicia on by means of a postage meter

First Known Use of METER

1878