MEASURE


Meaning of MEASURE in English

n. & v.

--n.

1. a size or quantity found by measuring.

2 a system of measuring (liquid measure; linear measure).

3 a rod or tape etc. for measuring.

4 a vessel of standard capacity for transferring or determining fixed quantities of liquids etc. (a pint measure).

5 a the degree, extent, or amount of a thing. b (foll. by of) some degree of (there was a measure of wit in her remark).

6 a unit of capacity, e.g. a bushel (20 measures of wheat).

7 a factor by which a person or thing is reckoned or evaluated (their success is a measure of their determination).

8 (usu. in pl.) suitable action to achieve some end (took measures to ensure a good profit).

9 a legislative enactment.

10 a quantity contained in another an exact number of times.

11 a prescribed extent or quantity.

12 Printing the width of a page or column of type.

13 a poetical rhythm; metre. b a metrical group of a dactyl or two iambuses, trochees, spondees, etc.

14 US Mus. a bar or the time-content of a bar.

15 archaic a dance.

16 a mineral stratum (coal measures).

--v.

1. tr. ascertain the extent or quantity of (a thing) by comparison with a fixed unit or with an object of known size.

2 intr. be of a specified size (it measures six inches).

3 tr. ascertain the size and proportion of (a person) for clothes.

4 tr. estimate (a quality, person's character, etc.) by some standard or rule.

5 tr. (often foll. by off) mark (a line etc. of a given length).

6 tr. (foll. by out) deal or distribute (a thing) in measured quantities.

7 tr. (foll. by with, against) bring (oneself or one's strength etc.) into competition with.

8 tr. poet. traverse (a distance).

Phrases and idioms:

beyond measure excessively. for good measure as something beyond the minimum; as a finishing touch. in a (or some) measure partly. made to measure Brit. (of clothes) made from measurements taken. measure up

1. a determine the size etc. of by measurement. b take comprehensive measurements.

2 (often foll. by to) have the necessary qualifications (for). measuring-jug (or -cup) a jug or cup marked to measure its contents. measuring-tape a tape marked to measure length. measuring-worm the caterpillar of the geometer moth.

Etymology: ME f. OF mesure f. L mensura f. metiri mens- measure

Oxford English vocab.      Оксфордский английский словарь.