I. me·ter ˈmē-tər noun
Etymology: 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
Date: before 12th century
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
penta meter
— 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
II. met·er ˈmē-tər noun
Etymology: Middle English, from meten to mete
Date: 14th century
: one that measures ; especially : an official measurer of commodities
III. me·ter noun
Etymology: French mètre, from Greek metron measure
Date: 1797
: 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
IV. me·ter noun
Etymology: -meter
Date: 1815
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
V. me·ter transitive verb
Date: 1878
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