I. ˈmēd.ə(r), -ētə- noun
( -s )
Usage: see -er
Etymology: Middle English meter, metre, from Old English & Middle French; Old English mēter, from Latin metrum, from Greek metron meter, measure; Middle French metre, from Old French, from Latin metrum — more at measure
1.
a. : systematically arranged and measured rhythm in verse
the only strict antithesis to prose is meter — William Wordsworth
(1) : rhythm that continuously repeats a single basic pattern or rhythmic system
iambic meter
dactylic meter
— compare cadence
(2) : rhythm characterized by the regular recurrence of a systematic arrangement of such basic patterns or systems into larger figures
a verse with sapphic meter
b. : a measure or unit of metrical verse : metron — usually used in combination
di meter
penta meter
— compare foot
c. : a fixed metrical pattern : verse form
the heroic couplet was a favorite meter of the neoclassic poets
d. archaic : a metrical composition : verse
a pebble of the brook warbled out these meters meet — William Blake
e. : rhythm in verse
2.
a. : the part of rhythmical structure concerned with the division of a musical composition into measures by means of regularly recurring accents with each measure consisting of a uniform number of beats or time units the first of which has the strongest accent
b. : the distribution of long and short notes or tones within measures : time
Synonyms: see rhythm
II. verb
( metered ; metered ; metering -əriŋ also ˈmē.triŋ ; meters )
Usage: see -er
Etymology: Middle English metren, from metre, meter, n.
intransitive verb
: to engage in poetic composition : versify
transitive verb
1. : to put into meter : give metrical form to
2. : to analyze metrically : scan
expansion of the liquid after it is metered — E.E.Reed
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from meten to mete, measure + -er — more at mete
: one that measures ; especially : an official measurer of commodities
IV. noun
( -s )
Usage: see -er
Etymology: French mètre, from Greek metron measure
: the basic metric unit of length that is equal to the distance between two lines on a platinum-iridium bar kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures near Paris, is approximately equal to 39.37 inches, and is equal to 1,650,763.73 wavelengths of the orange-red light of excited krypton of mass number 86 — see metric system table
V. noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: -meter
1.
a. : an instrument for measuring and recording the amount of something (as water, gas, electricity) as it flows
b. : a device (as a valve in a carburetor) that regulates the flow of a fluid
2.
a. : an instrument for measuring and usually recording distance, time, weight, speed, or intensity
b. : an instrument for measuring and recording the amount of a commodity or service consumed: as
(1) : parking meter
(2) : postage meter
3.
a. : the impression made by a postage meter on a piece of mail
b. : a philatelic cover bearing such an impression
VI. verb
( metered ; metered ; metering -əriŋ also ˈmē.triŋ ; meters )
transitive verb
1. : to measure by means of a meter
water … is metered and charged for — Tom Marvel
2. : to supply (fuel, oil, or other fluid) in a measured or regulated amount
fuel is then metered to the engine by the idle adjusting needle — H.F.Blanchard & Ralph Ritchen
3.
a. : to print postal indicia on by means of a postage meter
b. : to imprint a revenue stamp on by means of a machine similar to a postage meter
intransitive verb
: to meter a fluid (as fuel or oil)
the drilled opening in the metering jet controls the amount of fuel that can pass through the main fuel supply system — William Landon
a metering pump for molasses