[mea.sure] n [ME mesure, fr. OF, fr. L mensura, fr. mensus, pp. of metiri to measure; akin to OE maeth measure, Gk metron] (13c) 1 a (1): an adequate or due portion (2): a moderate degree; also: moderation, temperance (3): a fixed or suitable limit: bounds "rich beyond ~" 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 ~"
3: the act or process of measuring
4. a (1): melody, tune (2): dance; esp: a slow and stately dance b: rhythmic structure or movement: cadence: as (1): poetic rhythm measured by temporal quantity or accent; specif: meter (2): musical time c (1): a grouping of a specified number of musical beats located between two consecutive v ertical 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 ~ of happiness" 7: a step planned or taken as a means to an end; specif: a proposed legislative act -- for good measure : in addition to the minimum required: as an extra
[2]measure vb mea.sured ; mea.sur.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to choose or control with cautious restraint: regulate "~ his acts" b: to regulate by a standard: govern
2: to allot or apportion in measured amounts "~ out 3 cups"
3: to lay off by making measurements
4: to ascertain the measurements of
5: to estimate or appraise by a criterion "~s his skill against his rival"
6. archaic: to travel over: traverse 7: to serve as a means of measuring "a thermometer ~s temperature" ~ vi 1: to take or make a measurement
2: to have a specified measurement -- mea.sur.abil.i.ty n -- mea.sur.able adj -- mea.sur.ably adv -- mea.sur.er n